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1.
Evolution of patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension treated by balloon pulmonary angioplasty, according to their anticoagulant regimens.
Ikeda, N, Amemiya, K, Sato, S, Iijima, R, Hara, H, Nakamura, M
Heart and vessels. 2021;(6):910-915
Abstract
Patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) need anticoagulant therapy for life. Conventionally, vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) have been used and data about direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in CTEPH patients are lacking. Recently, balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) has emerged as a treatment option for CTEPH. However, there are no reports examining the effects of DOACs and VKAs on the hemodynamics of patients after BPA. The aim of this study was to compare DOACs and VKAs regarding the hemodynamic changes in patients with CTEPH treated by BPA. Patients who were treated by BPA and underwent follow-up right heart catheterization 6 ± 1 months after the final BPA procedure were included in this study. The subjects were divided into two groups based on the anticoagulant administered, and hemodynamic changes (mean pulmonary artery pressure, mPAP; pulmonary vascular resistance, PVR; cardiac index, CI) were assessed. Of the 65 consecutive patients, 29 met the inclusion criteria (DOAC-group n = 14, VKA-group n = 15). Compared to pre-BPA, post-BPA hemodynamic parameters were improved in both groups. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding pre-BPA, post-BPA, 6Mo-f/u and Δhemodynamic parameters (difference between 6Mo-f/u and post-BPA, ΔmPAP, - 0.7 ± 3.3 vs. - 2.7 ± 5.4 mmHg, p = 0.24; ΔPVR, - 41.9 ± 80.9 vs. - 16.4 ± 74.1 dyne s/cm5, p = 0.38; ΔCI, - 0.06 ± 0.35 vs. - 0.10 ± 0.35 L/min/m2, p = 0.80; DOAC-group vs. VKA-group, respectively). Hemodynamic improvement by BPA was maintained over 6 months of follow-up irrespective of the type of anticoagulant administered in CTEPH patients.
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2.
A Compelling Case for Less Aggressive Arrhythmia Management in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure and Long-Standing Atrial Fibrillation.
Packer, M
Journal of cardiac failure. 2020;(1):85-92
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND METHODS Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in chronic heart failure, and some have advocated intensive rate and/or rhythm control strategies for these patients. However, the loss of atrial systole and irregularity of the ventricular response has not been shown to contribute to the progression of heart failure, and the presence or rate of long-standing AF in patients with chronic heart failure does not have prognostic significance. RESULTS In randomized clinical trials, pharmacological rhythm control has not been shown to be superior to rate-control in influencing long-term outcomes, but the use of membrane-active antiarrhythmic drugs can increase the risk of both pump failure and arrhythmic deaths in patients with heart failure. Additionally, intensive efforts to slow the ventricular rate in AF can potentially cause clinically inapparent bradyarrhythmias, which can trigger rate-dependent lethal rhythm disturbances or hemodynamic abnormalities. In patients with AF, a more stringent approach to rate control (target rate <80/min) is not superior to a more lenient strategy (target rate <110/min) on the risk of major events. Little is known about the effects of catheter ablation of long-standing AF in established heart failure, particularly in patients with a preserved or a meaningfully reduced ejection fraction, but ablation can add to the fibrotic burden of the left atrium and impair its capacitance functions. CONCLUSIONS For all of these reasons, the management of heart failure and long-standing AF should be primarily directed to slowing of the progression of their underlying cardiomyopathic process rather than the treatment of the arrhythmia. In addition, patients should receive long-term oral anticoagulation with non-vitamin K-antagonist oral anticoagulants to reduce the risk of thromboembolic events. The utility of intensive rate and rhythm control interventions for long-standing AF in patients with established heart failure requires further study.
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3.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in the Pediatric Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory: A Report From the American Heart Association's Get With the Guidelines-Resuscitation Registry.
Lasa, JJ, Alali, A, Minard, CG, Parekh, D, Kutty, S, Gaies, M, Raymond, TT, Guerguerian, AM, Atkins, D, Foglia, E, et al
Pediatric critical care medicine : a journal of the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies. 2019;(11):1040-1047
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Hospitalized children with underlying heart disease are at high risk for cardiac arrest, particularly when they undergo invasive catheterization procedures for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Outcomes for children experiencing cardiac arrest in the cardiac catheterization laboratory remain under-reported with few studies reporting survival beyond the catheterization laboratory. We aim to describe survival outcomes after cardiac arrest in the cardiac catheterization laboratory while identifying risk factors associated with hospital mortality after these events. DESIGN Retrospective observational study of data from a multicenter cardiac arrest registry from November 2005 to November 2016. Cardiac arrest in the cardiac catheterization laboratory was defined as the need for chest compressions greater than or equal to 1 minute in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. Primary outcome was survival to discharge. Variables analyzed using generalized estimating equations for association with survival included age, illness category (surgical cardiac, medical cardiac), preexisting conditions, pharmacologic interventions, and event duration. SETTING American Heart Association's Get With the Guidelines-Resuscitation registry of in-hospital cardiac arrest. PATIENTS Consecutive patients less than 18 years old experiencing an index (i.e., first) cardiac arrest event reported to the Get With the Guidelines-Resuscitation. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS A total of 203 patients met definition of index cardiac arrest in the cardiac catheterization laboratory composed primarily of surgical and medical cardiac patients (54% and 41%, respectively). Children less than 1 year old comprised the majority of patients, 58% (117/203). Overall survival to hospital discharge was 69% (141/203). No differences in survival were observed between surgical and medical cardiac patients (p = 0.15). The majority of deaths (69%, 43/62) occurred in patients less than 1 year old. Bradycardia (with pulse) followed by pulseless electrical activity/asystole were the most common first documented rhythms observed (50% and 27%, respectively). Preexisting metabolic/electrolyte abnormalities (p = 0.02), need for vasoactive infusions (p = 0.03) prior to arrest, and use of calcium products (p = 0.005) were found to be significantly associated with lower rates of survival to discharge on multivariable regression. CONCLUSIONS The majority of children experiencing cardiac arrest in the cardiac catheterization laboratory in this large multicenter registry analysis survived to hospital discharge, with no observable difference in outcomes between surgical and medical cardiac patients. Future investigations that focus on stratifying medical complexity in addition to procedural characteristics at the time of catheterization are needed to better identify risks for mortality after cardiac arrest in the cardiac catheterization laboratory.
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4.
A comprehensive program for preterm infants with patent ductus arteriosus.
Apalodimas, L, Waller Iii, BR, Philip, R, Crawford, J, Cunningham, J, Sathanandam, S
Congenital heart disease. 2019;(1):90-94
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a common finding in preterm infants. A hemodynamically significant PDA may require intervention for closure. This article aims to describe a transcatheter PDA closure (TCPC) program for preterm infants and the components of a comprehensive outpatient follow-up strategy. SETTING A multidisciplinary team approach including neonatology, cardiology, anesthesiology, medical transport team, pulmonology, cardiac surgery, neurodevelopmental specialist, nutrition, speech therapy, social work, research collaborators, and other health care specialists is integral to the dedicated care and promotion of wellness of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. PATIENTS To date, we have performed TCPC on 134 ELBW infants weighing <2 kg at the time of the procedure, 54 of whom were <1 kg with the smallest weighing 640 g with a median gestation age of 25 weeks (range 23-27 weeks). INTERVENTIONS A comprehensive follow-up strategy with the creation of the Memphis PDA Clinic was implemented. OUTCOME MEASURES Respiratory support, tolerance of enteral feeds, growth, and neurodevelopmental progress are indicators of favorable outcomes. RESULTS TCPC has benefited ELBW infants with faster weaning off the ventilator, increase in enteral feedings, and somatic growth with the overall shortening of the hospital length of stay. The Memphis PDA Clinic has ensured optimal postdischarge follow-up to improve long-term outcomes. CONCLUSIONS TCPC is a safe and effective alternative to manage ELBW infants with a hemodynamically significant PDA. Comprehensive follow-up after discharge provided in a multispecialty clinic developed specifically for this unique population has been successful in improving outcomes.
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5.
Comparative Efficacy of Statins for Prevention of Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Network Meta-Analysis.
Zhou, X, Dai, J, Xu, X, Wang, Z, Xu, H, Chen, J, Qiu, Y, Mao, W
Angiology. 2019;(4):305-316
Abstract
Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a common complication of iodinated contrast medium administration during cardiac catheterization. Statin treatment has been shown to be associated with reduced risk of CI-AKI; however, the results are inconsistent, especially for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Thus, we conducted a network meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of statins in the prevention of CI-AKI. We systematically searched several databases (including, Embase, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov ) from inception to January 31, 2018. The primary outcome was occurrence of CI-AKI in patients with CKD undergoing cardiac catheterization. Both pairwise and network meta-analysis were performed. Finally, 21 randomized controlled trials with a total of 6385 patients were included. Results showed that statin loading before contrast administration was associated with a significantly reduced risk of CI-AKI in patients with CKD undergoing cardiac catheterization (odds ratio: 0.46; P < .05). Atorvastatin and rosuvastatin administered at high dose may be the most effective treatments to reduce incidence of CI-AKI, with no difference between these 2 agents.
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6.
Efficacy of nicorandil treatment for prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac catheterization: A prospective randomized controlled trial.
Iranirad, L, Hejazi, SF, Sadeghi, MS, Jang, SA
Cardiology journal. 2017;(5):502-507
Abstract
BACKGROUND Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) remains to be a potentially serious complication of radiographic procedures and is the third leading cause of the acute kidney injury (AKI) among hospitalized patients. This clinical trial was performed to assess the preventive effect of oral nicorandil on CIN in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. METHODS In this prospective, randomized, controlled trial, 128 patients with at least two risk factors for CIN undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were randomly assigned to either the nicorandil group or the control group. Patients in the nicorandil group (n = 64) received 10 mg nicorandil, daily from 30 min before and up to 3 days after procedure and intravenous hydration for 2 h before and 6 h after the procedure, whereas patients in the control group (n = 64) just received intravenous hydration. Serum creatinine (SCr) was measured before contrast exposure and at 72 h. CIN was defined as an increase of 25% in SCr or > 0.5 mg/dL 72 h after contrast administration. RESULTS Contrast-induced nephropathy occurred in 14 out of 64 (21.9%) patients in the control group and in 3 out of 64 (4.7%) patients in the nicorandil group. There was a significant difference in the incidence of CIN between the two groups at 72 h after administering the radiocontrast agent (p = 0.008). Moreover, there were significant differences between the two groups in SCr and estimated glomerular filtration rate 72 h after radiocontrast administration (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The findings revealed that oral nicorandil had substantial efficacy over hydration protocol for the development of CIN in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.
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7.
Preventive Strategies for Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Procedures: Evidence From a Hierarchical Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis of 124 Trials and 28 240 Patients.
Giacoppo, D, Gargiulo, G, Buccheri, S, Aruta, P, Byrne, RA, Cassese, S, Dangas, G, Kastrati, A, Mehran, R, Tamburino, C, et al
Circulation. Cardiovascular interventions. 2017;(5)
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effectiveness of currently available effective preventive strategies for contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI) is a matter of debate. METHODS AND RESULTS We performed a Bayesian random-effects network meta-analysis of 124 trials (28 240 patients) comparing a total of 10 strategies: saline, statin, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), NAC+NaHCO3, ascorbic acid, xanthine, dopaminergic agent, peripheral ischemic preconditioning, and natriuretic peptide. Compared with saline, the risk of CIAKI was reduced by using statin (odds ratio [OR], 0.42; 95% credible interval [CrI], 0.26-0.67), xanthine (OR, 0.32; 95% CrI, 0.17-0.57), ischemic preconditioning (OR, 0.48; 95% CrI, 0.26-0.87), NAC+NaHCO3 (OR, 0.50; 95% CrI, 0.33-0.76), NAC (OR, 0.68; 95% CrI, 0.55-0.84), and NaHCO3 (OR, 0.66; 95% CrI, 0.47-0.90). The benefit of statin therapy was consistent across multiple sensitivity analyses, whereas the efficacy of all the other strategies was questioned by restricting the analysis to high-quality trials. Overall, high heterogeneity was observed for comparisons involving xanthine and ischemic preconditioning, although the impact of NAC and xanthine was probably influenced by publication bias/small-study effect. Hydration alone was the least effective preventive strategy for CIAKI. Meta-regressions did not reveal significant associations with baseline creatinine and contrast volume. In patients with diabetes mellitus, no strategy was found to reduce the incidence of CIAKI. CONCLUSIONS In patients undergoing percutaneous coronary procedures, statin administration is associated with a marked and consistent reduction in the risk of CIAKI compared with saline. Although xanthine, NAC, NaHCO3, NAC+NaHCO3, ischemic preconditioning, and natriuretic peptide may have nephroprotective effects, these results were not consistent across multiple sensitivity analyses.
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8.
Long-Term Outcomes After MitraClip Implantation According to the Presence or Absence of EVEREST Inclusion Criteria.
Lesevic, H, Karl, M, Braun, D, Barthel, P, Orban, M, Pache, J, Hadamitzky, M, Mehilli, J, Stecher, L, Massberg, S, et al
The American journal of cardiology. 2017;(8):1255-1261
Abstract
Numerous patients are treated with the MitraClip, although they do not fulfill the stringent inclusion criteria of the Endovascular Valve Edge-to-Edge Repair Study (EVEREST) trials. The outcome of those patients is not well known. Therefore, we compared the long-term outcome after MitraClip treatment between patients who matched (group 1) and did not match (group 2) the EVEREST criteria. One hundred thirty-four consecutive patients were treated from September 2009 to July 2012: 59 patients (44%) in group 1 versus 75 patients (56%) in group 2. Investigated end points were acute procedural success (for group 1 vs 2: 97% vs 95%; p = 0.694), all-cause mortality (28% vs 27%; p = 0.656), reintervention (RI) rate (11% vs 37%; p = 0.010), and improvement in mitral regurgitation (MR) (-1.3 ± 1 vs -1.5 ± 1, p = 0.221) and in New York Heart Association functional class (-0.7 ± 1 vs -0.9 ± 0.8, p = 0.253) during the follow-up of 33 months (27.9 to 38.3). The morphologic extent of a flail leaflet was an independent predictor for RI. In conclusion, although the overall outcome was comparable between both groups, recurrent symptomatic MR with need for RI was higher in group 2, mainly because of complex valve pathologies: especially flail width >15 mm and gap ≥10 mm. Improvements in the interventional strategy are warranted for reducing the need for RI in patients with primary MR.
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9.
Contrast-induced encephalopathy following cardiac catheterization.
Spina, R, Simon, N, Markus, R, Muller, DW, Kathir, K
Catheterization and cardiovascular interventions : official journal of the Society for Cardiac Angiography & Interventions. 2017;(2):257-268
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management of contrast-induced encephalopathy (CIE) following cardiac catheterization. BACKGROUND CIE is an acute, reversible neurological disturbance directly attributable to the intra-arterial administration of iodinated contrast medium. METHODS The PubMed database was searched and all cases in the literature were retrieved and reviewed. RESULTS 52 reports of CIE following cardiac catheterization were found. Encephalopathy, motor and sensory disturbances, vision disturbance, opthalmoplegia, aphasia, and seizures have been reported. Transient cortical blindness is the most commonly reported neurological syndrome, occurring in approximately 50% of cases. The putative mechanism involves disruption of the blood brain barrier and direct neuronal injury. Contrast-induced transient vasoconstriction has also been implicated. Symptoms typically appear within minutes to hours of contrast administration and resolve entirely within 24-48 hr. Risk factors may include hypertension, diabetes mellitus, renal impairment, the administration of large volumes of iodinated contrast, percutaneous coronary intervention or selective angiography of internal mammary grafts, and previous adverse reaction to iodinated contrast. Characteristic findings on cerebral imaging include cortical and sub-cortical contrast enhancement on computed tomography (CT). Imaging findings in CIE may mimic subarachnoid hemorrhage or cerebral ischemia; the Hounsfield scale on CT and the apparent diffusion coefficient on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are useful imaging tools in distinguishing these entities. In some cases, brain imaging is normal. Prognosis is excellent with supportive management alone. CIE tends to recur, although re-challenge with iodinated contrast without adverse effects has been documented. CONCLUSIONS CIE is an important clinical entity to consider in the differential diagnosis of stroke following cardiac catheterization. Given that prognosis is excellent with supportive management only, physicians should be aware of it, and consider it prior to initiating thrombolysis. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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10.
Coronary artery calcification scores improve contrast-induced nephropathy risk assessment in chronic kidney disease patients.
Osugi, N, Suzuki, S, Shibata, Y, Tatami, Y, Harata, S, Ota, T, Hayashi, M, Yasuda, Y, Ishii, H, Shimizu, A, et al
Clinical and experimental nephrology. 2017;(3):391-397
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the predictive value of CAC scores for the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) after cardiac catheterization in non-dialyzed CKD patients. METHODS The present study evaluated a total of 140 CKD patients who underwent cardiac catheterization. Patients were stratified into two groups based on the optimal cut-off value of the CAC score, which was graded by a non-triggered, routine diagnostic chest computed tomography scan: CAC score ≥8 (high CAC group); and CAC score <8 (low CAC group). CIN was defined as an increase of >10 % in the baseline serum cystatin C level at 24 h after contrast administration. RESULTS The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate levels were 41.1 mL/min/1.73 m2, and the mean contrast dose administered was 37.5 mL. Patients with high CAC scores exhibited a higher incidence of CIN than patients with low CAC scores (25.5 vs. 3.2 %, p < 0.001). After multivariate adjustment for confounders, the CAC score predicted CIN (odds ratio 1.68, 95 % confidence interval 1.28-2.21, p < 0.001). Moreover, the C-index for CIN prediction significantly increased when the CAC scores were added to the Mehran risk score (0.855 vs. 0.760, p = 0.023). CONCLUSION CAC scores, as evaluated using semi-quantitative methods, are a simple and powerful predictor of CIN. Incorporating the CAC score in the Mehran risk score significantly improved the predictive ability to predict CIN incidence.