Giant Right Coronary Artery Aneurysm: An Association With Primary Varicose Veins?

Coronary artery aneurysms are rare conditions with potentially devastating consequences. We describe the case of an athletic 40-year-old woman who received a diagnosis of giant right coronary artery aneurysm while she was undergoing a work-up for lower extremity varicose veins. She underwent successful surgical treatment without any complications.

Cardiogenic Shock Complicating Acute Myocardial Infarction Treated With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Supported by Impella: Implications of Advanced Age and Refractory Shock on Outcomes.

Unlabelled: With percutaneous left ventricular mechanical circulatory support devices becoming increasingly available for patients with cardiogenic shock due to acute myocardial infarction and the lack of a clear mortality benefit to date, identifying optimal candidates for this technology is crucial. We studied the effectiveness of Impella Cardiac Pow (Abiomed, Danvers, MA) in various stages of cardiogenic shock and elderly cohorts.

Design: Retrospective review.

Differences in Baseline Characteristics and Outcomes in Young Caucasians and African Americans with Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Background: The incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in young patients is increasing. While race-related differences in clinical characteristics and outcomes for older AMI patients have been well-studied, such differences in young patients are unknown.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of charts of Caucasian and African American (AA) patients <50 years of age, presenting with AMI between 2010 and 2017 in an urban, community hospital in Detroit, Michigan.

Association of Operator and Hospital Experience With Procedural Success Rates and Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Interventions for Chronic Total Occlusions: Insights From the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Cardiovascular Consortium.

Background: An inverse relationship has been described between procedural success and outcomes of all major cardiovascular procedures. However, this relationship has not been studied for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusion (CTO).

Methods: We analyzed the data on patients enrolled in Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Cardiovascular Consortium registry in Michigan (January 1, 2010 to March 31, 2018) to evaluate the association of operator and hospital experience with procedural success and outcomes of patients undergoing CTO-PCI.

Meta-analysis of fractional flow reserve guided complete revascularization versus infarct related artery only revascularization in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction and multivessel coronary artery disease.

Background: Multivessel coronary artery disease is found in 30-50% of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MI) and is associated with adverse outcomes. It is not yet clear if outcomes are improved by utilizing fractional flow reserve (FFR) guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of noninfarct related artery (non-IRA) along with primary PCI.

Methods And Results: To evaluate this, we performed a metanalysis of published randomized controlled trials by performing systematic search of PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar and Cochrane Central.

Multiple embolic strokes as a result of Libman-Sacks endocarditis associated with lupus and secondary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome: a case report.

Background: Libman-Sacks endocarditis (LSE) is an infrequently recognized pathogenesis of embolic cerebrovascular disease. Patients often have asymptomatic valvular dysfunction which if not recognized promptly, can lead to serious complications such as heart failure, arrhythmias, cerebroembolic phenomena with increased neurocognitive disability, and even death. It can be associated with systemic lupus erythematosus and/or antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APLS).

Meta-analysis of drug eluting stents compared with bare metal stents in high bleeding risk patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions.

Objectives: To determine the efficacy and safety of drug-eluting stents (DESs) and bare metal stents (BMSs) when used with short or tailored dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in high bleeding risk (HBR) patients.

Background: DES have been shown to reduce target lesion revascularization (TLR) as well as stent thrombosis (ST) compared to BMS in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, patients at HBR continue to receive BMS given the fear of bleeding or ST from premature discontinuation of DAPT in patients receiving DES.

Coronary Artery Embolism: Two Case Reports and a Review of the Literature.

Coronary embolism (CE) is an uncommon and unique cause of acute myocardial infarction. In this report, we review 216 cases of CE including 2 new cases from our institution. The mean patient age was 52.

Association of Race with Long-Term Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Popliteal and Infra-Popliteal Percutaneous Peripheral Arterial Interventions.

Background: Race-related differences in clinical features, presentation, treatment and outcomes of patients with various cardiovascular diseases have been reported in previous studies. However, the long-term outcomes in black versus white patients with popliteal and/or infra-popliteal peripheral arterial disease (PAD) undergoing percutaneous peripheral vascular interventions (PVI) are not well known.

Methods And Results: We retrospectively evaluated long-term outcomes in 696 patients (263 blacks and 433 whites) who underwent PVI for popliteal and/or infra-popliteal PAD at our institution between 2007 and 2012.

Meta-Analysis of Transcatheter Valve-in-Valve Implantation Versus Redo Aortic Valve Surgery for Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve Dysfunction.

Transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation (ViV-TAVI) has evolved as an alternative to redo surgical valve replacement (redo-SAVR) for high-risk patients with aortic bioprosthetic valve (BPV) dysfunction. The differences in procedural success and outcomes in a large number of patients who underwent ViV-TAVI compared with redo-SAVR for aortic BPV dysfunction are not known. We conducted a meta-analysis of the previously reported studies to determine outcomes after ViV-TAVI and redo-SAVR.

Long-term outcomes of patients with diabetes mellitus undergoing percutaneous intervention for popliteal and infrapopliteal peripheral arterial disease.

Objectives: To evaluate the association of diabetes mellitus (DM) with clinical and angiographic characteristics and outcomes of patients with popliteal and infrapopliteal peripheral arterial disease (PAD) undergoing peripheral vascular intervention (PVI).

Background: Clinical features and outcomes in patients with DM and popliteal or infrapopliteal PAD undergoing PVI are not well described.

Methods: Using the data from the laser in popliteal and infrapopliteal stenosis study, we retrospectively examined the association of diabetes with clinical and angiographic characteristics and risk adjusted short- and intermediate term outcomes (all cause death, major adverse events (MAE) [composite of death, ipsilateral major amputation, or repeat revascularization]) in patients with popliteal and infrapopliteal PAD undergoing PVI for critical limb ischemia treated either with laser-assisted balloon angioplasty or balloon angioplasty alone.

Association of Anemia With Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Peripheral Vascular Intervention: Insights From the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Cardiovascular Consortium (BMC2 VIC).

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical features and outcomes of patients with anemia undergoing percutaneous peripheral vascular intervention (PVI) in a contemporary registry.

Methods: We evaluated the differences in the clinical features and outcomes of patients with and without anemia undergoing PVI in the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Cardiovascular Consortium (BMC2 VIC) registry. Anemia was defined using World Health Organization criteria.

Myocardial Infarction Secondary to Blunt Chest Trauma.

Myocardial infarction (MI) following blunt chest trauma is rare, but potentially fatal. We treated a young patient for acute MI after falling chest-first on ice while playing hockey. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was performed after percutaneous stenting attempts were unsuccessful.

Rupture of sinus of Valsalva aneurysm: Two case reports and a concise review of the literature.

Background: The rupture of sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (RSoVA) is a rare disorder that affects the integrity of the cardiovascular system, disrupting its dynamics and resulting in a variety of manifestations. In this report, we discuss two cases of RSoVA that we encountered and review similar cases reported in the literature.

Methods: literature review of reported cases of RSoVA in PubMed and Google Scholar.

The association of race with quality of health in peripheral artery disease following peripheral vascular intervention: The Q-PAD Study.

Black patients have a higher prevalence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) than white patients, and also tend to have a greater extent and severity of disease, and poorer outcomes. The association of race with quality of health (QOH) after peripheral vascular intervention (PVI), however, is less well-known. In our study, we hypothesized that after PVI, black patients experience worse QOH than white patients.

Distal Cuff Occlusion: A Novel, Simple Approach for Distal Embolic Protection in Peripheral Vascular Intervention.

Aim: To evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of the cuff-occlusion method for distal embolic protection in peripheral artery disease.

Methods And Results: We evaluated 61 patients who underwent peripheral vascular intervention (PVI) for infrainguinal lesion at a single center where a blood pressure cuff occlusion method for distal embolic protection was utilized during the procedure. Primary endpoint included incidence of distal embolization, acute limb ischemia, or emergency limb amputation.

Relation of Baseline Renal Dysfunction With Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Popliteal and Infrapopliteal Percutaneous Peripheral Arterial Interventions.

Renal dysfunction is a major risk factor for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Infrapopliteal PAD is associated with more co-morbid conditions and worse prognosis than suprapopliteal PAD. Long-term outcomes of patients with renal dysfunction and popliteal or infrapopliteal PAD undergoing peripheral vascular intervention (PVI) are not well described.

Association Of Bleeding Avoidance Strategies with age-related bleeding and In-hospital mortality in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary Interventions.

Background: The association of bleeding avoidance strategy (BAS) (consisting of a combination of radial access, bivalirudin [rather than heparin +/- glycoprotein GPIIb/IIIa antagonists], and/or vascular closure devices after femoral access) with bleeding and in-hospital outcomes has not been evaluated among elderly patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI).

Methods: We studied BAS use, bleeding and in-hospital mortality among 121,635 patients categorized by age (<50, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and ≥80years) undergoing PCI from the BMC2 registry (1/2010-12/2013).

Results: The use of BAS decreased marginally with age and despite improved utilization over time, remained lower among the elderly.

Novel CenterCross and MultiCross devices for the treatment of infrainguinal chronic total occlusions: initial single-centre experience.

Aims: Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of CenterCross/MultiCross devices to facilitate the crossing of chronic total occlusions in peripheral arteries.

Methods And Results: This was a single-centre study in which 53 consecutive patients who were not amenable to initial attempts at crossing using standard guidewires underwent an attempt to recanalise chronically occluded infrainguinal peripheral arteries with MultiCross/CenterCross devices. The primary endpoint of interest was the ability to advance the guidewire beyond the chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions with the use of these devices.

Differences in sex-related bleeding and outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention: insights from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Cardiovascular Consortium (BMC2) registry.

Background: Bleeding after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is more common in women than in men. However, the relationship of sex and bleeding with outcomes is less well studied.

Methods: We examined the sex-related differences in the incidence of bleeding and its association with in-hospital outcomes among 96,637 patients undergoing PCI enrolled in the BMC2 registry (2010-2012).

First steps: exploring use of a prospective, office-based registry as the foundation for quality improvement in cardiology training.

Background: Teaching practice-based learning and improvement and systems-based practice are challenging. Cardiology fellows at St John Hospital & Medical Center participate in a national registry of outpatient cardiology care.

Objective: We assessed the use of the registry, hypothesizing that it could serve as an effective foundation for studying ambulatory care, identifying gaps in care, and planning interventions to advance competence in practice-based learning and improvement and systems-based practice.

Relationship between carotid disease on ultrasound and coronary disease on CT angiography.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between carotid artery disease by ultrasound and coronary artery disease by coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) and to identify carotid ultrasound parameters predictive of coronary artery disease.

Background: Carotid ultrasound and CTA are noninvasive modalities used to image atherosclerosis. Studies examining the relationship between the 2 tests, however, are lacking.

The association between patient race, treatment, and outcomes of patients undergoing contemporary percutaneous coronary intervention: insights from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Cardiovascular Consortium (BMC2).

Background: The aim of this study was to examine if racial disparities exist in the treatment and outcomes of patients undergoing contemporary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: We examined the association between race, process of care, and outcomes of patients undergoing PCI between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2011, and enrolled in the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Cardiovascular Consortium. We used propensity matching to compare the outcome of black and white patients.

Acute aortic dissection.

Acute aortic dissection is an uncommon but potentially catastrophic illness with high mortality. Significant advances in the understanding, diagnosis, and management have been made since the first reported case of aortic dissection 3 centuries ago. This comprehensive review discusses the pathophysiology, classification, clinical manifestations, early diagnosis, and management of this important cardiovascular emergency.

The effect of freezing and long-term storage on the stability of cardiac troponin T.

Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) levels are widely used to assess for evidence of myocardial infarction. We studied the effect of freezing and long-term storage on the stability of cTnT in blood samples from 178 patients with end-stage renal failure. The serum was separated and divided into multiple aliquots.