Cardiogenic shock from acute on chronic heart failure is a lethal condition that frequently requires temporary mechanical circulatory support devices (tMCS) as a bridge to stabilization, durable ...support, or heart transplantation. However, there are limited data on methods to optimize use of tMCS in this population. We identified patients who received tMCS devices for cardiogenic shock from acute on chronic heart failure at a single center from August 2016 to July 2020. All the patients had invasive hemodynamic data before and immediately after tMCS placement. We classified patients according to whether they showed stabilization or decompensation with tMCS. We then evaluated hemodynamics pre-tMCS, post-tMCS, and the change in hemodynamics with tMCS (∆-tMCS) and assessed their relationship with clinical outcomes. Among 111 patients who received tMCS, 71 stabilized, and 40 decompensated. Post-tMCS hemodynamics were more likely than were pre-tMCS or ∆-tMCS to predict stabilization. Post-tMCS cardiac index >2.1 (area under the curve: 92.2) and cardiac power index >0.3 (area under the curve: 89.6) were the best predictors of stabilization. Patients who decompensated had increased in-hospital all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 3.06 1.29 to 7.24, p = 0.011), cardiovascular mortality, and increased hospital and intensive care unit length of stay and were less likely to receive left ventricular assist device or heart transplant (hazard ratio 0.56 0.36 to 0.88, p = 0.01). In conclusion, among patients with cardiogenic shock from acute on chronic heart failure who received tMCS, post-tMCS cardiac index and cardiac power index were highly predictive of stabilization. Those who decompensated had increased mortality, hospital length of stay, and intensive care unit length of stay and were less likely to receive heart replacement therapy.
Abstract Objective The aim of this work was to characterize the clinical response and identify predictors of clinical stabilization after intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP) support in ...patients with chronic systolic heart failure in cardiogenic shock before implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Background Limited data exist regarding the clinical response to IABP in patients with chronic heart failure in cardiogenic shock. Methods We identified 54 patients supported with IABP before LVAD implantation. Criteria for clinical decompensation after IABP insertion and before LVAD included the need for more advanced temporary support, initiation of mechanical ventilation or dialysis, increase in vasopressors/inotropes, refractory ventricular arrhythmias, or worsening acidosis. The absence of these indicated stabilization. Results Clinical decompensation after IABP occurred in 23 patients (43%). Both patients who decompensated and those who stabilized had similar hemodynamic improvements after IABP support, but patients who decompensated required more vasopressors/inotropes. Clinical decompensation after IABP was associated with worse outcomes after LVAD implantation, including a 3-fold longer intensive care unit stay and 5-fold longer time on mechanical ventilation ( P < .01 for both). Although baseline characteristics were similar between groups, right and left ventricular cardiac power indexes (cardiac power index = cardiac index × mean arterial pressure/451) identified patients who were likely to stabilize (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.82). Conclusions Among patients with chronic systolic heart failure who develop cardiogenic shock, more than one-half of patients stabilized with IABP support as a bridge to LVAD. Baseline measures of right and left ventricular cardiac power, reflecting work performed for a given flow and pressure, may allow clinicians to identify patients with sufficient contractile reserve who will be likely to stabilize with an IABP versus those who may need more aggressive ventricular support.
In heart failure populations without aortic stenosis (AS), the prognostic utility of multiple biomarkers in addition to clinical factors has been demonstrated. We aimed to determine whether multiple ...biomarkers of cardiovascular stress are associated with mortality in patients with AS undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) independent of clinical factors.
From a prospective registry of patients with AS, 345 participants who were referred for and treated with AVR (transcatheter (n=183) or surgical (n=162)) were included. Eight biomarkers were measured on blood samples obtained prior to AVR: growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), soluble ST2 (sST2), amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP), galectin-3, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, myeloperoxidase, high-sensitivity C reactive protein and monocyte chemotactic protein-1. Biomarkers were evaluated based on median value (high vs low) in a Cox proportional hazards model for all-cause mortality and a parsimonious group of biomarkers selected. Mean follow-up was 1.9±1.2 years; 91 patients died.
Three biomarkers (GDF15, sST2 and NTproBNP) were retained in the model. One-year mortality was 5%, 12%, 18% and 33% for patients with 0 (n=79), 1 (n=96), 2 (n=87) and 3 (n=83) biomarkers elevated, respectively (p<0.001). After adjustment for the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) risk score, a greater number of elevated biomarkers was associated with increased mortality (referent: 0 elevated): 1 elevated (HR 1.47, 95% CI 0.60 to 3.63, p=0.40), 2 elevated (HR 2.89, 95% CI 1.24 to 6.74, p=0.014) and 3 elevated (HR 4.59, 95% CI 1.97 to 10.71, p<0.001). Among patients at intermediate or high surgical risk (STS score ≥4), 1-year and 2-year mortality rates were 34% and 43% for patients with three biomarkers elevated versus 4% and 4% for patients with 0 biomarkers elevated. When added to the STS score, the number of biomarkers elevated provided a category-free net reclassification improvement of 64% at 1 year (p<0.001). The association between a greater number of elevated biomarkers and increased mortality after valve replacement was similar in the transcatheter and surgical AVR populations.
These findings demonstrate the potential utility of multiple biomarkers to aid in risk stratification of patients with AS. Further studies are needed to evaluate their utility in clinical decision-making in specific AS populations.
Right ventricular (RV) failure is difficult to predict and is a major determinant of poor outcomes after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. We evaluated the associations of the ...following variables with severe RV failure in LVAD patients: tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi), simplified RV contraction pressure index (sRVCPI), and HeartMate Risk Score (HMRS). We performed a retrospective case-control study on 216 patients who underwent continuous-flow LVAD implantation between 2008 and 2014. The primary analysis assessed the ability of HMRS, PAPi, sRVCPI, and TAPSE to predict severe RV failure. A secondary analysis evaluated the incremental benefit of combining predictive variables. Seventy-four patients developed severe RV failure (24%). Compared with the control group, the severe RV failure group had lower TAPSE (1.30 vs. 1.55; p < 0.001), lower PAPi (1.77 vs. 2.47; p = 0.001), lower sRVCPI (42.71 vs. 57.82; p < 0.001), and higher HMRS (2.12 vs. 1.65; p < 0.001). All four variables had similar receiver operating characteristic curves with modest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.63-0.67, all p values < 0.001). In the evaluation of combined predictive variables, the combination of TAPSE with HMRS was found to be best for predicting severe RV failure. In summary, patients at risk for severe RV failure after LVAD implantation were successfully identified using TAPSE, PAPi, sRCPI, and HMRS. The combination of TAPSE and HMRS-incidentally, the least invasive and most readily available variables-proved to be superior to RV-centric metrics for predicting severe RV failure. The predictive and clinical use of these two variables should be tested prospectively.
To investigate repeat revascularisation outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
We performed a single-centre, retrospective matched cohort ...study of patients with RA matched to non-RA patients post PCI. Primary endpoints were time to target lesion revascularisation (TLR) and target vessel revascularisation (TVR) analysed by Cox proportional hazard shared frailty models.
A total of 228 lesions (143 patients) were identified in the RA cohort and matched to 677 control lesions (541 patients). TLR occurred in 33% (n=75) of RA lesions versus 25% (n=166) of control lesions (adjusted HR 1.3; 95% CI 0.97 to 1.8). TVR occurred in 39% (n=89) of RA lesions versus 31% (n=213) of control lesions (adjusted HR 1.15; 95% CI 0.82 to 1.6). There was a significant hazard for TLR (adjusted HR 1.48; 95% CI 1.03 to 2.13) and TVR (adjusted HR 1.55; 95% CI 1.12 to 2.14) when excluding lesions with revascularisation events or follow-up less than 1 year. When stratified by treatment with methotrexate or tumour necrosis factor (TNF) α inhibitors or both at discharge, lesions from patients with RA treated with these agents had similar TVR and TLR as control lesions, whereas lesions from patients with RA not treated with these agents had significantly more TLR and TVR (TLR adjusted HR 1.48; 95% CI 1.08 to 2.03; TVR adjusted HR 1.38; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.84).
RA predisposes to repeat revascularisation, specifically in patients followed after the 1-year landmark. In the absence of RA treatments including methotrexate and/or TNFα inhibitors, RA is associated with a 50% increased relative risk of repeat revascularisation following PCI. These findings emphasise the adverse effects of chronic inflammation on the durability of PCI and provide further support for aggressive anti-inflammatory treatment in patients with RA.
Air embolism is a rare but potentially catastrophic complication of interventional procedures. The occurrence of acute right ventricular dysfunction during intraoperative auto-transfusion of blood, ...presumably related to pulmonary embolism of agitated air microbubbles and microthrombi, is less commonly recognized. We report a case of auto-transfusion complicated by acute right ventricular failure and pulseless electrical activity arrest. Auto-transfusion of recovered blood is a practical solution to reduce need for post-procedure allogenic transfusions. Although such interventions are frequently performed without complications, they do have inherent risks that should be readily acknowledged. This case clearly describes a severe complication and sequelae of auto-transfusion.
<Learning objective: Auto-transfusion of recovered blood is commonly performed in surgical and interventional procedures to reduce the need for allogenic transfusion. Despite this benefit, the risks and complications of auto-transfusion can be severe and must be considered. We report a case of intraprocedural auto-transfusion resulting in introduction of air emboli and subsequent cardiac arrest. Additionally, we provide a brief review of air emboli and underlying pathophysiology that leads to cardiovascular decline.>
Opinion statement
Coronary anomalies originating from the opposite sinus of Valsalva (ACAOS) are a rare anomaly associated with sudden cardiac death. Dynamic, invasive evaluation using coronary ...angiography, intravascular ultrasound, and fractional flow reserve can more clearly identify important pathophysiologic variants and guide treatment. This dynamic evaluation can assist the clinician in the appropriate surgical and percutaneous treatment options and aid in patient counseling. Long-term outcomes data regarding treatment and prognosis is still lacking.
Objective
Approximately 50% of patients with severe symptomatic mitral regurgitation
are deemed too high risk for surgery. The MitraClip procedure is a viable
option for this population. Our goal was ...to assess outcomes and survival of
patients who underwent the MitraClip procedure at an institution where
mitral valve surgery is routinely performed.
Methods
A retrospective study of patients undergoing the MitraClip procedure was
performed. Baseline characteristics, perioperative outcomes, and follow-up
echocardiographic and clinical outcomes were examined. Primary end point was
survival. Secondary end points included technical failure (residual 3/4+
mitral regurgitation), reoperation, New York Heart Association symptoms,
30-day mortality, and other clinical outcomes. Predictors of mortality were
determined using multivariable regression analysis.
Results
Fifty consecutive patients underwent the MitraClip procedure during the
4-year period. The average age was 83, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons
predicted risk of mortality mean was 9.4%, 88% (44/50) had New York Heart
Association III/IV symptoms, 86% (43/50) had 4+ mitral regurgitation, and
72% (36/50) had degenerative mitral disease etiology. Echocardiographic data
(median interquartile range follow-up = 43 26–392) showed that 86%
(43/50) of patients had 2+ or less mitral regurgitation. Sixty percent
(24/40) had New York Heart Association I/II symptoms at last follow-up.
Predictors of mortality were higher Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted
risk of mortality (P = 0.042, hazard ratio = 1.098) and
previous cardiac surgery (P = 0.013, hazard ratio = 3.848).
Survival at 1 and 2 years was 75% and 63%, respectively.
Conclusions
Many patients with mitral valve regurgitation who are high risk for open
surgery can be treated with the MitraClip procedure. In our study, most
patients (86%) had a technically successful operation and postoperative
outcomes including survival were acceptable.
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