Electrocardiogram changes as predictors for new imaging findings in repeat transthoracic echocardiography.

To determine if electrocardiogram (EKG) findings may be a useful tool to predict changes in repeat transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE). We evaluated patients who underwent TTE during hospitalization and their EKGs, and whether findings differed between studies. Of 229 hospitalized patients who underwent repeat TTE, 183 (80%) were abnormal.

Transcatheter Leadless Pacemaker for the Treatment of Vasovagal Syncope.

Vasovagal syncope (VVS) is largely a benign condition focused on patient education, lifestyle modification, and avoidance of triggers. However, a subset of patients may benefit from permanent pacemaker placement. Commonly, patients with VVS are younger and those requiring pacing have symptoms associated with severe cardioinhibitory syncope.

Same-Day Discharge After Left Bundle Area Pacing.

Background: Left bundle area pacing (LBAP) has emerged as an area that appears to be an attractive alternative to other forms of physiological pacing owing to its ease and favorable pacing parameters. Same-day discharge after conventional pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, and more recently leadless pacemakers have become routine, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. With the advent of LBAP, the safety and feasibility of same-day discharge remain unclear.

Impact of Wire Sensor Location on Coronary Physiological Measurement.

Background: The location of the wire sensor to measure fractional flow reserve (FFR) and diastolic pressure ratio (dPR) has not been systematically studied. Therefore, we hypothesize that the coronary physiological measurements will vary with the location of the sensor.

Methods: Fifty-four patients were screened, and 30 consecutive patients were enrolled.

Periprocedural anticoagulation therapy in patients undergoing micra leadless pacemaker implantation.

Over the past decade, there has been significant improvement in the treatment cardiac diseases and symptomatic bradyarrhythmias with the development of leadless pacemaker systems. The Micra transcatheter pacemaker system has been shown to mitigate a lot of the complications associated with traditional pacing systems, which are notably skin pocket and lead-related complications. Numerous studies have shown the low complication rates associated with Micra procedure; however, there have been no specific guidelines or recommendations surrounding periprocedural anticoagulant therapy.

Very low tidal volume, high-frequency ventilation in atrial fibrillation ablation: a systematic review.

Background: Ventilation strategies in atrial fibrillation ablation affect procedure outcomes by influencing catheter stability. Studies have highlighted favorable atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation outcomes with the use of high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) which has been shown to improve lesion durability, energy delivery, and tissue contact. However, this mode of ventilation is not readily available.

In-hospital outcomes of transcatheter versus surgical mitral valve repair in patients with chronic liver disease.

Background: Mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) using MitraClip is a treatment option for patients with moderate to severe mitral regurgitation who are not surgical candidate. Liver cirrhosis is associated with higher operative morbidity and mortality; however, it is not part of preoperative risk assessments calculators. We sought to evaluate the in-hospital outcomes in TEER and surgical mitral valve repair (SMVR) in liver cirrhosis.

Concurring hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and takotsubo cardiomyopathy: Assessment and management.

The prevalence of takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) has been on the rise, but co-occurrence with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HOCM) remains rare. Although presenting patient demographics were similar to those in TCM, the potential for hemodynamic compromise was significantly compounded by the presence of underlying HOCM. Management was similar to standalone TCM, although use of inotropic agents and mechanical support appears to be more prevalent.

Systematic Review of COVID-19 Related Myocarditis: Insights on Management and Outcome.

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), also referred to as COVID-19, was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. The manifestations of COVID-19 are widely variable and range from asymptomatic infection to multi-organ failure and death. Like other viral illnesses, acute myocarditis has been reported to be associated with COVID-19 infection.

Outcomes of MitraClip Placement in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis.

Introduction: Liver cirrhosis is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Many preoperative risk assessment tools do not take into account the presence or degree of liver cirrhosis prior to surgery. Over recent years, percutaneous mitral valve repair using MitraClip has emerged as an option for patients at high risk of surgical intervention.

Iatrogenic atrial septal defect following the MitraClip procedure: A state-of-the-art review.

With an increase in number of patients undergoing percutaneous treatment of severe mitral regurgitation with MitraClip placement, the consequences of transseptal puncture resulting in iatrogenic atrial septal defects (iASDs) are being increasingly realized. Closure of iASDs following MitraClip therapy is not routinely performed, and no guidelines currently exist in managing this condition. While immediate hemodynamic and clinical compromise secondary to acute hypoxemia related to iASDs should be acutely managed with defect closure, the prevalence and consequences of long-term iASDs are still unclear.

Impact of cardiovascular comorbidities on inpatient mortality in patients hospitalized with neutropenic fever.

Introduction: Concomitant cardiovascular comorbidities in patients with cancer are not uncommon. There is limited data on the impact of cardiovascular comorbidities on in-hospital mortality in patients admitted with neutropenic fever.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study using the 2016 NIS database of adults (> 18 years old) hospitalized for neutropenic fever as the primary diagnosis.

An observational study of the management practices and outcomes of patients with new onset atrial fibrillation in non-cardiothoracic surgeries.

Background And Objective: Limited data exist on characteristics and management of patients with postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after noncardiothoracic surgeries and on the relationship between symptoms and outcomes. We sought to describe clinical features, in-hospital practices and outcomes in patients with new POAF by the presence or absence of clinical symptoms.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of adults with POAF in one tertiary center.

Age associated non-linear regulation of redox homeostasis in the anucleate platelet: Implications for CVD risk patients.

Background: Aging is a complex physiological phenomenon, intricately associated with cardiovascular pathologies, where platelets play a central pathophysiological role. Although antiplatelets are commonly employed to prevent and treat major adverse cardiovascular events, aging associated intraplatelet changes remain largely unexplored.

Methods: Platelets were studied in high cardiovascular risk patients (aged 40-100 years) comparing them to younger healthy subjects.

Pericardial effusion due to pembrolizumab-induced immunotoxicity: A case report and literature review.

The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionized cancer treatment. These novel agents have provided promising treatment options in patients with different types of cancers. One of these agents is pembrolizumab, which works by blocking the binding of T-lymphocytes to programmed cell death ligand 1 receptors on tumor cells, thus enabling immune activation of T-lymphocytes against tumor cells.

Luminal esophageal temperature monitoring to reduce esophageal thermal injury during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: A review.

Over the past decade, catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation has emerged as an important rhythm control strategy. One of the most dreaded complications of this procedure is atrio-esophageal (AE) fistula formation, which is relatively rare but usually fatal. Esophageal tissue injury during ablation appears to be a precursor to the formation of AE fistulae.