The various perioperative issues of structural heart diseases and cardiogenic shock.

Up to 20 % of patients presenting with acute heart failure and cardiogenic shock have a structural etiology. Despite efforts in timely management, mortality rates remain alarmingly high, ranging from 50 % to 80 %. Surgical intervention is often the definitive treatment for structural heart disease; however, many patients are considered high risk or unsuitable candidates for such procedures.

Feasibility and technicality of aortic valve lithotripsy-facilitate balloon valvuloplasty in patients with severe aortic stenosis unsuitable for immediate valvular replacement.

Background: Aortic valve lithotripsy can fragment aortic valve calcium deposits and potentially restore leaflet pliability in animal model and ex-vivo, but clinical data is limited. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVR) might not be feasible as an urgent procedure in critically ill patients. Balloon valvuloplasty has the major limitation of valve recoil and inducing aortic regurgitation.

Contemporary experience of percutaneous management of complex aortic and ventricular pseudoaneurysms associated to perivalvular leak: A case series and review of literature.

Background: Percutaneous closure of aortic and ventricular pseudoaneurysms (PSA) has only been reported on a case report and series basis. In previous case reports, percutaneous closure has been performed successfully in patients of prohibitive surgical risk. This case series aims to show feasibility of percutaneous closure of aortic and ventricular pseudoaneurysm secondary to perivalvular leak (PVL) in a small patient population and the utility of multimodality imaging as an integral tool in procedural planning.

3D print and multi-modality imaging guided transcatheter closure of multiple left ventricular pseudoaneurysms.

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm (PSA) after surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) is a known but uncommon complication. It is associated with risks such as thromboembolism and life-threatening rupture. Surgical repair has traditionally been utilized in low-risk patients but transcatheter closure has become a promising therapeutic option.

Aspiration of Right Sided Intracardiac Masses in High-Risk Surgical Patients Using AngioVac: A Case Series and Review of Literature.

Management of large right heart thrombi and vegetations is challenging. Medical management may be insufficient to prevent embolization or treat infection. Surgery carries a high mortality and is often not an option for these patients with multiple comorbidities.

Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion for Stroke Prevention in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation.

The majority of embolic strokes in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation are caused by thrombi in the left atrial appendage. It is projected that strokes related to atrial fibrillation will markedly increase in the future unless effective mitigation strategies are implemented. Systemic anticoagulation has been known to be highly effective in reducing stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Persistence of abnormal global longitudinal strain in women with peripartum cardiomyopathy.

Objectives: Data regarding the longitudinal relationship of global longitudinal strain (GLS) and echocardiographic parameters are lacking in peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). We evaluated GLS and its correlation with change (∆) in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods: We retrospectively identified women age ≥16 years hospitalized at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, NY from 1999-2015 with International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 9th revision codes for PPCM or an occurrence of unexplained heart failure during or up to 5 months postpartum.

VpALI-Vaping-related Acute Lung Injury: A New Killer Around the Block.

The use of electronic cigarettes, known as vaping, has become increasingly popular over the past decade, particularly in the adolescent and young adult population, often exposing users to harmful chemicals. Vaping has been associated with a heterogeneous group of pulmonary disease. Recently, a multistate epidemic has emerged surrounding vaping-related acute lung injury, prompting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to list an official health advisory.

An Unusual Cardiac Metastasis: Right Atrial Chondrosarcoma Diagnosed With Multimodality Cardiac Imaging.

• Metastatic cardiac tumors are about 20 times more common than primary cardiac tumors. • Metastatic CS to the myocardium has only rarely been described in case reports. • Cardiac masses are differentiated by clinical context, location, and imaging appearance.

Racial differences and mortality risk in patients with heart failure and hyponatremia.

Background: Hyponatremia is a well-established poor prognostic marker in patients with heart failure. Whether the mortality risk is comparable among different races of patients with heart failure and hyponatremia is unknown.

Materials And Methods: Consecutive patients admitted with acute decompensated heart failure and an admission sodium level<135 mEq/L from 1/1/2001 through 12/31/10 were identified.