The impact of asthma on in-hospital outcomes of COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The impact of asthma as a possible risk factor for adverse clinical outcomes in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of asthma on adverse clinical outcomes in a COVID-19 hospitalized cohort. METHODS: Retrospective, propensity-matched observational study of consecutive COVID-19-positive patients between February 24, 2020, and November 3, 2020 at a single health care system. RESULTS: In the initial population of 1925 patients, 4.4% presented with asthma. Propensity score matching reduced the total sample to n = 1045: 88 (8.4%) with asthma and n = 957 without asthma. A total of 164 (15.7%) patients died during the hospitalization, including 7 (8.0%) in the asthma group and 157 (16.4%), p = .037, in the non-asthmatic cohort. There was no difference between these groups in need for mechanical ventilation, length of stay on a ventilator, or hospital length of stay.Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that asthma was an independent predictor of lower mortality, while older age, BMI > 30 kg/m2, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and admission National Early Warning Score (NEWS) were significantly associated with an increased risk of in-hospital death. There were no significant differences between asthmatic and non-asthmatic cohorts with respect to need for mechanical ventilation, length of mechanical ventilation, serum markers of severe COVID-19 disease, or overall length of hospital stay. CONCLUSION: We conclude that asthma in hospitalized COVID-19 patients is associated with a lower risk of mortality and no increase in disease severity in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence: A case report on the challenges in diagnosing ostial left main stenosis.

Because left main (LM) coronary artery stenosis is known to have higher mortality and morbidity compared to lesions in other territories, an early diagnosis and management are crucial to prevent worse outcomes. Due to limitations of coronary angiography (CA), the diagnosis of ostial LM stenosis solely based on CA may result in underdiagnosis of such lesions. Therefore, additional testing is often needed either by pressure wire or intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to make appropriate diagnosis. We, hereby, present a case of left main ostial stenosis in a 56-year-old male that was missed on multiple coronary angiograms, and highlights many of the considerations in the diagnosis of LM disease.

The use of cardiac-CT alone to exclude left atrial thrombus before atrial fibrillation ablation: Efficiency, safety, and cost analysis.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a growing financial burden on the healthcare system. Cardiac computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) is needed for pulmonary vein mapping before AF ablation (AFA). CCTA has shown to be an alternative to transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) to rule out left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) pre-AFA. We aim to examine the safety, cost-effectiveness, and time-efficiency of utilizing CCTA alone to rule out LAAT before AFA. METHODS: We prospectively screened patients with paroxysmal AF undergoing cryoablation. CCTA with delayed enhancement was performed within 72 hours of AFA. Once LAAT was ruled out, patients were enrolled and planned TEE was cancelled. A retrospective control cohort that had both CCTA and TEE prior to AFA was identified. Direct cost data, electrophysiology laboratory utilization time, and 30-day stroke outcomes were collected from the EMR, follow-up phone calls, or clinic visits, and comparative analyses were performed. RESULTS: Seventy patients met the inclusion criteria in the prospective CCTA-only cohort, and 71 for the retrospective CCTA+TEE cohort. Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. There was a nonsignificant reduction in overall cost ($15,870 ± 1,710 vs $16,557 ± 2,508, P = 0.06) in CCTA-only cohort, whereas the electrophysiology laboratory utilization time was significantly reduced (241.6 ± 41.7 vs 181.3 ±36.4 minutes, P < 0.001). There were no strokes reported on 30-day follow-up in the CCTA-only group. CONCLUSIONS: In low-to-intermediate stroke risk patients with paroxysmal AF undergoing cryoablation, eliminating TEE and employing CCTA-only strategy to rule-out LAAT improves electrophysiology laboratory efficiency without influencing periprocedural cost or increasing postprocedural stroke risk.

Automation, machine learning, and artificial intelligence in echocardiography: A brave new world.

Automation, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) are changing the landscape of echocardiography providing complimentary tools to physicians to enhance patient care. Multiple vendor software programs have incorporated automation to improve accuracy and efficiency of manual tracings. Automation with longitudinal strain and 3D echocardiography has shown great accuracy and reproducibility allowing the incorporation of these techniques into daily workflow. This will give further experience to nonexpert readers and allow the integration of these essential tools into more echocardiography laboratories. The potential for machine learning in cardiovascular imaging is still being discovered as algorithms are being created, with training on large data sets beyond what traditional statistical reasoning can handle. Deep learning when applied to large image repositories will recognize complex relationships and patterns integrating all properties of the image, which will unlock further connections about the natural history and prognosis of cardiac disease states. The purpose of this review article was to describe the role and current use of automation, machine learning, and AI in echocardiography and discuss potential limitations and challenges of in the future.

Elevated end-diastolic wall stress after acute myocardial infarction predicts adverse cardiovascular outcomes and longer hospital length of stay.

BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial infarction (MI) leads to ventricular remodeling in response to oxygen demand. Such changes include left ventricular (LV) dilatation and increased myocardial wall stress. Prior studies showed that wall stress is a vital parameter of cardiac remodeling. However, outcome data are lacking. We aim to investigate wall stress post-MI in relation to biomarkers of cardiac remodeling and cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS: Patients presenting with ST-elevation MI (STEMI) requiring primary percutaneous intervention (PCI) were enrolled prospectively. LVEF and volume-based end-diastolic (EDWS) and end-systolic (ESWS) wall stress were measured from predischarge echocardiograms. Serum samples were collected for measurement of serum biomarkers. We identified 81 patients meeting inclusion criteria (64% men, 36% women) with a mean age of 61. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) defined as 1-year composite endpoint of cardiac mortality, recurrent MI, revascularization, or stroke. Length of hospitalization (LOH) was recorded. RESULTS: Major adverse cardiovascular events-positive patients (n = 12) had significantly higher EDWS levels (15.87 vs 12.33, P = 0.045), and galectin-3 levels (19.07 vs 11.75, P = 0.015), and lower LVEF (40.0% vs 48.4%, P = 0.023) compared to MACE-negative patients. Patients with LOH > 72 hours (n = 33) had significantly higher EDWS, galectin-3, and peak troponin, and lower LVEF compared to patients with LOH < 72 hours. EDWS positively correlated with LOH and galectin-3. EDWS was an independent predictor of MACE by binomial regression analysis. CONCLUSION: End-diastolic walls tress is a potential prognostic tool for risk stratifying STEMI patients, providing an assessment of the functional consequences of myocardial remodeling. It is predictive of MACE independent of LVEF, associated with longer hospitalizations, and correlates with galectin-3, a biomarker of cardiac remodeling.

The Role of SGLT-2 Inhibitors as Part of Optimal Medical Therapy in Improving Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Diabetes and Coronary Artery Disease.

The optimal treatment approach to patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), including those with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), has been extensively evaluated. Several trials of stable ischemic heart disease including patients with T2DM have demonstrated that medical management is comparable to revascularization in terms of mortality and rates of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). There has been a growing appreciation for optimal medical therapy's (OMT) role in improving clinical outcomes. It is vital to target T2DM patients to prevent or delay MACE events through advanced OMT, ultimately delaying if not avoiding the need for revascularization. There has been significant evolution in the development of pharmacologic management of T2DM patients. Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a new pharmacologic therapy with tremendous potential to alter clinical practice and influence practice guidelines. SGLT2-inhibitors have great potential in reducing MACE in patients with T2DM and CAD. Empagliflozin should be considered as a part of OMT among these patients. If results similar to the EMPA-REG OUTCOMES trial are replicated in other trials, the use of these pharmacologic agents as a part of OMT may narrow the gap between revascularization and OMT alone in patients with T2DM and multi-vessel disease. Future studies on the role of SLGT-2 inhibitors with regard to heart failure outcomes are needed to elucidate the mechanisms and clinical effects in this vulnerable population.

Myocardial and Serum Galectin-3 Expression Dynamics Marks Post-Myocardial Infarction Cardiac Remodelling.

BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial infarction (MI) causes significant changes in cardiac morphology and function. Galectin-3 is a novel and potentially therapeutically important mediator of cardiac remodelling. Myocardial and serum galectin-3 expression dynamics in response to the early cardiovascular outcomes after acute MI are not fully elucidated. METHODS: We first performed a comprehensive longitudinal microarray analyses in mice after acute MI. We then measured the serum levels of galectin-3 in a translational porcine model of coronary microembolism-induced post-ischaemic cardiac remodelling. We validated our pre-clinical studies in humans by measuring serum galectin-3 levels of 52 patients with acute ST-elevation MI (STEMI) and 11 healthy controls. We analysed galectin-3 data in relation to the development of major adverse cardiovascular outcomes (MACO). RESULTS: Of the 9,753 genes profiled at infarcted and remote myocardium at eight different time points, dynamic myocardial overexpression of galectin-3 mRNA was detected. In a pig model of diffuse myocardial damage and cardiac remodelling, galectin-3 localised to the areas of tissue damage and myocardial fibrosis, with proportionate increase of their serum galectin-3 expression levels. In humans, increased serum galectin-3 level was associated with in-hospital MACO. CONCLUSIONS: In this translational study, we demonstrated that galectin-3 is dynamically overexpressed in response to acute MI-induced cardiac remodelling. Elevated galectin-3 levels are associated with the development of in-hospital MACO.

Intermediate Follow-Up of Balloon-Expandable Versus Self-Expanding Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Patients With Small Aortic Annuli.

The clinical impact of prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) in patients with small aortic annuli who underwent transcatheter aortic valve (AV) implantation with either balloon-expandable (BE) or self-expanding (SE) valves remains controversial. We assessed in-hospital and intermediate clinical outcomes in 573 patients with transfemoral transcatheter AV implantation with a small AV annulus, defined as an AV annulus area ≤430 mm2. A total of 337 patients treated with a 23-mm BE valve (SAPIEN 3, Ultra) were compared with 236 patients treated with a 26-mm SE valve (Evolut series). Valve-in-valve cases were excluded, and late echo follow-up (mean 674 ± 438 days) was assessed in a subset of 292 patients (51.0%). Well-matched BE and SE cohorts did not differ with respect to major in-hospital outcomes, other than a borderline increase in vascular complications and composite bleeding in patients with SE. Patients with BE had a higher incidence of severe PPM on discharge echocardiography (16.9% vs 6.8%, p <0.002). The mean AV gradient at 30 days was higher for patients with BE (12.2 ± 4.2 vs 6.2 ± 7.9 mm Hg, p <0.001) and at late follow-up (14.0 ± 8.2 vs 7.2 ± 3.5 mm Hg, p <0.001). The follow-up left ventricular ejection fraction and incidence of >mild aortic insufficiency were similar. All-cause mortality for the 2 cohorts was similar, with an overall mean (95% confidence interval) survival time of 61.2 months (57.8 to 64.5; p = 0.98). There were no significant survival differences between combined patients with BE and SE with no, moderate, or severe PPM, with an overall mean (95% confidence interval) survival time of 32.5 (30.5 to 34.5) months combining valve types (p = 0.23). In conclusion, despite an increased incidence of PPM with higher mean AV gradients that persist on late echocardiography in the BE cohort, patients with BE and SE with small aortic annuli have similar clinical outcomes at intermediate follow-up. Moderate and severe PPM had no impact on survival at a mean follow-up of 32.5 months.

Impact of Ticagrelor Versus Clopidogrel on Bleeding Outcomes of Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

BACKGROUND: Increased bleeding risks have been documented in patients exposed to P2Y12 inhibitors within 5 days of coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). This study aimed to determine the relative CABG bleeding risks of clopidogrel versus ticagrelor exposure and the proper time course of ticagrelor discontinuation prior to surgery. METHODS: Clinical outcomes were assessed in 2075 isolated CABG patients, including 375 who had received P2Y12 inhibitors within 5 days of surgery (155 clopidogrel, 213 ticagrelor, 7 prasugrel). BARC-4 CABG bleeding complications and perioperative blood product usage were assessed in propensity-matched P2Y12-inhibited and non-P2Y12-inhibited cohorts. RESULTS: P2Y12-inhibited patients (n = 375) in comparison to matched non-P2Y12-inhibited patients (n = 1138) had higher rates of re-operation for bleeding (3.8 % vs 1.3 %, p = 0.003), postoperative red blood cell transfusion ≥5 units (5.7 % vs 2.7 %, p = 0.007), and intraoperative and postoperative blood product utilization (42.3 % vs 27.1 %, p < 0.001; 41.8 % vs 32.2 %, p < 0.001, respectively). Univariate predictors of BARC-4 bleeding included clopidogrel (OR: 2.145, 95 % CI: 1.131-4.067, p = 0.019) and ticagrelor discontinued within 3 days of surgery (OR: 2.153, 95 % CI: 1.003-4.169, p = 0.049). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that only clopidogrel exposure was an independent BARC-4 bleeding predictor (OR: 1.850, 95 % CI: 1.007-3.398, p = 0.048). Unadjusted ticagrelor patients with drug discontinuation 4-5 days prior to CABG only demonstrated higher rates of perioperative platelet transfusion, without additional signs of excessive bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Clopidogrel exposure within 5 days of CABG is an independent predictor of BARC-4 bleeding, whereas major ticagrelor bleeding effects are confined to drug exposure within 3 days of surgery.

The Benefit of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Before Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Multicenter Retrospective Outcome-Based Study.

There is inadequate evidence regarding the role of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The current American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines are limited to class 2A recommendations for pre-TAVR revascularization in the setting of hemodynamically significant left main (LM), proximal left anterior descending (pLAD), or extensive bifurcation disease regardless of angina status. We performed a multicenter, retrospective, observational study assessing the benefit of PCI in patients with coronary artery disease who underwent transfemoral TAVR for severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. Patients were divided into 2 cohorts: (1) patients who did not undergo pre-TAVR PCI within the preceding 12 months (no-PCI group) and (2) patients who received pre-TAVR PCI within the preceding 12 months (PCI group). The primary outcome was defined as the composite end point of in-hospital and 30-day adverse events, including all-cause mortality, cardiac arrest, and myocardial infarction. Subgroup analyses were performed on patients with LM and/or pLAD disease and other high-risk features, including angina and heart failure. Comparisons were made between 1,809 consecutive patients (1,364 in the no-PCI group and 445 in the PCI group). There were no differences between the 2 cohorts regarding the primary composite outcome (2.0% vs 2.8%, p = 0.918) or individual secondary outcomes. Although LM/pLAD disease, New York Heart Association classes III to IV, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk score ≥8 were all independent predictors of the primary outcome, none of the subgroups demonstrated a benefit favoring PCI. In conclusion, there is no observed benefit from PCI within 12 months pre-TAVR in patients with severe aortic stenosis and concomitant coronary artery disease, including patients with LM/pLAD disease.

Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients Treated With Systemic Steroids.

BACKGROUND: Chronic steroid therapy is associated with higher vascular complication rates in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The effect of corticosteroids on aortic annular complications has not been directly assessed in this population. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 1095 patients undergoing transfemoral TAVR was performed. Patients treated with chronic steroids at the time of the procedure (n = 99) were compared with those who received no steroids (n = 992). The primary outcome included a composite of aortic annular complications, defined as a combination of aortic annular rupture, aortic dissection/perforation, and left ventricular perforation. RESULTS: The primary outcome was significantly higher in the steroid group (4.0% vs 0.5%; P<.01). This finding was primarily driven by higher rates of acute annular rupture in the steroid group (2.0% vs 0.2%; P=.04). Steroid use was associated with higher rates of intraoperative cardiac arrest (5.1% vs 1.5%; P=.03), device capture/retrieval (4.0% vs 0.8%; P=.01), and emergent conversion to open heart surgery (4.0% vs 0.6%; P<.01). There were no differences with respect to in-hospital mortality, stroke, myocardial infarction, need for permanent pacemaker, bleeding complications, minor vascular complications, hospital length of stay, hospital 30-day readmission, or 30-day echocardiographic findings. Additionally, within the steroid group, there were no significant differences between balloon-expandable vs self-expanding TAVR prostheses with respect to composite aortic annular complications. CONCLUSION: Chronic steroid therapy increases the risk of aortic annular complications in patients undergoing TAVR, with detrimental consequences including intraoperative cardiac arrest and conversion to open heart surgery. Steroid use should be considered in patient selection and determination of procedural technique for TAVR.

The utility of radiographic assessment of the internal mammary arteries in chest wall irradiated patients.

PURPOSE: The internal mammary arteries (IMA's) are historically recognized to be protected against atherosclerosis. Whether chest wall-irradiation for breast cancer leads to significant IMA damage remains unclear. The utility of computed tomography (CT) and mammography to detect radiation-induced damage to the IMA's and its branches is not known. The objective of this study is to assess the susceptibility of IMA's to radiation-induced atherosclerosis, and the utility of CT scan and mammography in the assessment of IMA and its branches. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of breast cancer patients who received chest wall-radiotherapy was performed. Patients with CT scans and/or mammograms ≥5 years post-radiotherapy were included. Baseline characteristics, coronary artery calcification (CAC), the presence of IMA damage assessed by CT scan, and IMA branch calcifications by mammography were recorded. RESULTS: None of the 66 patients with CT scans post-radiotherapy revealed IMA atherosclerosis. There were 28 (42.4%) patients with CAC, of which four (14.3% of CAC subgroup or 6.1% of the total cohort) had calcifications on either side on mammogram (Chi-square test, p = 0.74). Out of the 222 patients with mammograms, 36 (16.2%) had IMA branch calcifications. Two hundred and ten patients received unilateral radiotherapy, and 27 (12.9%) of these patients had calcifications on the irradiated side, and 26 patients (12.4%) had calcifications on the contralateral side (OR = 1.0). CONCLUSION: IMA's do not exhibit signs of radiation-induced atherosclerosis when evaluated by CT scan. In addition, there is no association between radiotherapy for breast cancer and the presence of IMA branch calcification on mammograms.

Outcomes of Transcarotid Versus Trans-Subclavian Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to perform the first meta-analysis of studies comparing transcarotid (TC) and trans-subclavian (TSc) transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). BACKGROUND: The safety and feasibility of a TC and a TSc approach for performing TAVR in patients with prohibitive femoral anatomy have been well described. The potential advantage of one approach over the other is yet to be ascertained. METHODS: A computerized literature search of key medical databases through September 2020 was performed. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies comparing TC and TSc TAVR with reported 30-day outcomes were considered. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality, stroke, life-threatening, and/or major bleeding or major vascular complications. Statistical analysis using random-effects models to report the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was performed. RESULTS: A total of 5 observational studies inclusive of 4164 patients (TC = 1788 and TSc = 2376) met the eligibility criteria. The average age of patients was 81.1 years. There was no difference in the occurrence of the composite endpoint between the groups at 30-days. A statistically insignificant trend towards higher rates of major vascular complications (OR 1.65; 95% CI 0.94-2.89; P = 0.08; I2 = 0%) and the need for permanent pacemaker placement was observed with the TSc approach. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis of studies comparing TC and TSc TAVR showed similar 30-day outcomes between the 2 approaches. A notable trend towards higher rates of major vascular complications and the need for permanent pacemaker placement was observed with the TSc approach.

Benefit of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With Paradoxical Low-Flow Low-Gradient Versus High-Gradient Aortic Stenosis and Preserved Left Ventricular Function.

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Outcomes of Percutaneous and Surgical Pulmonary Valve Implantation.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to describe the recent trends and in-hospital outcomes with percutaneous pulmonic valve implantation (PPVI) and surgical pulmonic valve replacement (SPVR) in adult hospitals in the US after the availability of both the Melody valve (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota) and the Sapien XT valve (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA). METHODS: We queried the National Inpatient Sample database (NIS) from January 2016 to December 2017 to identify hospitalizations for PPVI and SPVR. RESULTS: We identified 5455 weighted discharges with PPVI and SPVR (PPVI=1140, SPVR=4305). PPVI procedures had increased in number over 2016 and 2017 (115 procedure at the first quarter of 2016, 195 procedures in the final quarter of 2017, P-trend=0.086), while SPVR volume remained constant. The incidence of in-hospital mortality was low with both procedures (SPRV: 1.6% vs. PPVI: 0.9%, p=0.071). SPVR had worse in-hospital outcomes, was associated with a longer length of stay [5 days vs. 1 day, p<0.001], and comparable cost of index hospitalization [$51,657 vs. $51,193] compared with PPVI. CONCLUSION: After approval of the Sapien valve for commercial use in 2016, PPVI procedures have increased in frequency. PPVI is associated with lower procedural complications than SPVR, however, both carry a low risk of mortality. Despite the higher cost of the valves and delivery systems, PPVI is associated with a slightly lower cost of index hospitalization compared with SPVR, likely due to the higher in-hospital complications and LOS of the latter.

Endotheliitis and Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients with COVID-19: Its Role in Thrombosis and Adverse Outcomes.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2), emerging in Wuhan, China and developing into a pandemic with rapidly emerging cardiovascular manifestations [...].

Cushing syndrome cardiomyopathy: an unusual manifestation of small-cell lung cancer.

Cushing syndrome is a rare cause of dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Cases describing this association are scarce. We describe a patient presenting with acute heart failure, new cardiomyopathy, refractory hypokalaemia, severe hyperglycaemia, and uncontrolled hypertension who was found to have hypercortisolism secondary to an ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting primary lung neoplasm. This case highlights the effects of hypercortisolism on the myocardium. The finding of a non-dilated cardiomyopathy in this case is unique because the majority of previously reported Cushing syndrome cardiomyopathy cases have described left ventricular dilatation or significant left ventricular hypertrophy. In addition, small-cell lung cancer with adrenocorticotropic hormone production causing Cushing syndrome cardiomyopathy is rare.

Comparative Outcomes of Transcarotid and Transsubclavian Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

BACKGROUND: Previous reports described successful use of transcarotid and transsubclavian approaches for the performance of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with severe aortic stenosis who cannot be treated with transfemoral access. The purpose of the present study was to compare these two alternative approaches with respect to safety, efficacy, and procedural efficiency. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all TAVR procedures performed through either a transcarotid or a transsubclavian approach at a single tertiary care medical center between January 2016 and October 2018 was performed. Outcomes are reported in accordance with the Valve Academic Research Consortium definitions. RESULTS: During the study period, 33 patients had transcarotid TAVR and 38 patients had transsubclavian TAVR. Transcarotid patients were older (mean age, 82.9 ± 7.2 vs 78.1 ± 8.2 years; P = .012), but otherwise the two groups were not significantly different with respect to preoperative characteristics. Valve deployment was similar between the groups (100% vs 97%; P = .348). Procedure time was shorter with the transcarotid approach (110 ± 32 vs 134 ± 45 minutes; P = .014). There was a lower mean fluoroscopy air kerma in the transcarotid group (682.82 ± 713.48 mGy vs 2141 ± 2055 mGy; P < .001), although fluoroscopy dose-area product did not differ between the groups. There was no difference between the groups with respect to in-hospital or 30-day mortality (0% vs 3%; P = .355), stroke (3% vs 8%; P = .393), or vascular complication (3% vs 4%; P = .840). CONCLUSIONS: The transcarotid and the transsubclavian approaches have similar safety and efficacy outcomes. The transcarotid approach had a shorter procedure duration and a trend toward lower fluoroscopy duration and radiation exposure.

NOAC-Based Sual Therapy Versus Warfarin-Based Triple Therapy After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention or Acute Coronary Syndrome in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Several randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have compared the use of dual therapy (DT), or one of the non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC) with a P2Y12 agent, versus triple therapy (TT), consisting of a vitamin-K antagonist (VKA) along with dual antiplatelet therapy, in patients with concomitant atrial fibrillation after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We performed a meta-analysis and systematic review of RCTs to evaluate the safety and efficacy of NOAC-based DT in such patients. METHODS: The major efficacy outcome was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), defined as a composite of mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, stent thrombosis (ST), and urgent revascularization. The International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis (ISTH) major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding (CRNM) was the major primary safety outcome. RESULTS: A total of 4 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis with 7942 total patients for analysis (DT: 4377 & TT: 3565). Compared to TT, DT resulted in similar risk of MACCE (OR: 1.12; 95% CI: 0.94-1.34; P = 0.20) and other efficacy endpoints with a trend in increased risk of ST in the DT group (1.55; 0.99-2.44; P = 0.06). DT resulted in lower risk of ISTH major or CRNM bleeding (0.56; 0.41-0.76; P < 0.01), and all other bleeding outcomes except for a trend of reduced risk of TIMI minor bleeding. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, patients with atrial fibrillation who undergo PCI or develop ACS, NOAC-based dual therapy reduces bleeding outcomes without significantly increasing ischemic outcomes. Future trials should explore the possible differences in stent thrombosis.

Comparison of Benefit of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Patients With Low Gradient Versus High Gradient Aortic Stenosis and Left Ventricular Dysfunction.

Patients with low gradient severe aortic stenosis (LG-AS) often exhibit significant limitations in functional status and quality of life. We aimed to evaluate the clinical effect of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) on LG-AS patients compared to those with high transvalvular gradients and similar left ventricular dysfunction. Retrospective analysis of records for all patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction <50% who underwent TAVI at our institution was performed. Patients were grouped according to their transvalvular gradient. Data were collected from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons/American College of Cardiology Transcatheter Valve Therapy Registry. Clinical benefit endpoints included improvements in left ventricular ejection fraction and changes in the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire. Additional outcomes analyzed included 1-year all-cause mortality, stroke rates, rates of rehospitalization, need for a permanent pacemaker, and hospital length of stay. Two hundred three patients met our inclusion criteria. one hundred one LG-AS patients (mean transvalvular gradient <40 mm Hg) were compared to 102 patients with high transvalvular gradients (mean transvalvular gradient >40 mm Hg). LG-AS patients yielded similar improvements in left ventricular ejection fraction (43.5% ± 63.7 vs 37.7% ± 58.7; p = 0.525) and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire scores (423.51% ± 1257.02 vs 266.56% ± 822.81; p = 0.352). There were no differences between the groups with respect to 1-year mortality (16.8% vs 12.7%; p = 0.412), stroke rates, hospital length of stay, need for permanent pacemaker implantation or hospital readmissions. In conclusion, we found that TAVI is associated with comparable improvement in clinical and echocardiographic outcomes in LG-AS patients as compared to those with high gradient severe aortic stenosis.