Association between number of vasopressors and mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Study Objective: Study the clinical outcomes associated with the number of concomitant vasopressors used in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Design: A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients admitted with COVID-19 to the intensive care unit (ICU) between March and October 2020.

Setting: Rush University Medical Center, United States.

Surpoint algorithm for improved guidance of ablation for ventricular tachycardia (SURFIRE-VT): A pilot study.

Introduction: The utility of ablation index (AI) to guide ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation in patients with structural heart disease is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess procedural characteristics and clinical outcomes achieved using AI-guided strategy (target value 550) or conventional non-AI-guided parameters in patients undergoing scar-related VT ablation.

Methods: Consecutive patients (n = 103) undergoing initial VT ablation at a single center from 2017 to 2022 were evaluated.

Clinical outcomes of COVID-19 infection in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease.

Introduction: Patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease may carry a higher risk for mortality from COVID-19. This study examined the association between individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular disease admitted for COVID-19 and their clinical outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients admitted with COVID-19 to Rush University System for Health (RUSH) to identify cardiovascular risk factors associated with increased mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; a composite of cardiovascular death, stroke, myocardial injury, and heart failure exacerbation).

Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor and Venous Thromboembolism in COVID-19.

Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) contributes significantly to COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. The urokinase receptor system is involved in the regulation of coagulation. Levels of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) reflect hyperinflammation and are strongly predictive of outcomes in COVID-19.

Wide area circumferential ablation for pulmonary vein isolation using radiofrequency versus laser balloon ablation.

Background: Persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with high recurrence rates of AF and atypical atrial flutters or tachycardia (AFT) postablation. Laser balloon (LB) ablation of the pulmonary vein (PV) ostia has similar efficacy as radiofrequency wide area circumferential ablation (RF-WACA); however, an approach of LB wide area circumferential ablation (LB-WACA) may further improve success rates.

Objective: To evaluate freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmia (AFT/AF) recurrence postablation using RF-WACA versus LB-WACA in persistent AF patients.

Comparison of ablation index versus time-guided radiofrequency energy dosing using normal and half-normal saline irrigation in a porcine left ventricular model.

Background: Ablation Index (AI) is a multiparametric quality marker to assess the durability of radiofrequency (RF) lesions. The comparative effectiveness and safety of AI versus time-based energy dosing for ablation of ventricular arrhythmias are unknown.

Objective: We compared AI and time-based RF dosing strategies in the left ventricles (LVs) of freshly harvested porcine hearts.

Cardiovascular findings on chest computed tomography associated with COVID-19 adverse clinical outcomes.

Study Objective: Chest computed tomography (chest CT) is routinely obtained to assess disease severity in COVID-19. While pulmonary findings are well-described in COVID-19, the implications of cardiovascular findings are less well understood. We evaluated the impact of cardiovascular findings on chest CT on the adverse composite outcome (ACO) of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Use of infrared thermography to delineate temperature gradients and critical isotherms during catheter ablation with normal and half normal saline: Implications for safety and efficacy.

Background: Radiofrequency (RF) ablation with half-normal saline (HNS) has shown promise as a bail-out strategy following failed ventricular tachycardia ablation using standard approaches.

Objective: To use a novel infrared thermal imaging (ITI) model to evaluate biophysical and lesion characteristics during RF ablation using normal saline (NS) and HNS irrigation.

Methods: Left ventricular strips of myocardium were excised from fresh porcine hearts.

Admission respiratory status predicts mortality in COVID-19.

COVID-19 has significant case fatality. Glucocorticoids are the only treatment shown to improve survival, but only among patients requiring supplemental oxygen. WHO advises patients to seek medical care for "trouble breathing," but hypoxemic patients frequently have no respiratory symptoms.

Sex Differences in COVID-19 Hospitalization and Mortality.

To investigate sex differences in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes in a large Illinois-based cohort. A multicenter retrospective cohort study compared males versus females with COVID-19 infections from March 1, 2020, to June 21, 2020, in the Rush University System. We analyzed sex differences in rates of hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, vasopressor use, endotracheal intubation, and death in this cohort.

Clinical Applications of Laser Technology: Laser Balloon Ablation in the Management of Atrial Fibrillation.

Catheter-based ablation techniques have a well-established role in atrial fibrillation (AF) management. The prevalence and impact of AF is increasing globally, thus mandating an emphasis on improving ablation techniques through innovation. One key area of ongoing evolution in this field is the use of laser energy to perform pulmonary vein isolation during AF catheter ablation.