Genotype Is Associated With Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes in Black Patients Treated With Clopidogrel Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) intermediate and poor metabolizer patients exhibit diminished clopidogrel clinical effectiveness after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, outcome studies to date have lacked racial diversity. Thus, the impact of genotype on cardiovascular outcomes in patients treated with clopidogrel who identify as Black or African American remains unclear.

Effectiveness of Clopidogrel vs Alternative P2Y Inhibitors Based on the ABCD-GENE Score.

Background: An ABCD-GENE (age, body mass index, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and CYP2C19 genetic variants) score ≥10 predicts reduced clopidogrel effectiveness, but its association with response to alternative therapy remains unclear.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between ABCD-GENE score and the effectiveness of clopidogrel vs alternative P2Y inhibitor (prasugrel or ticagrelor) therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: A total of 4,335 patients who underwent PCI, CYP2C19 genotyping, and P2Y inhibitor treatment were included.

A case of ultra-prolonged intra-aortic balloon pump support via sheathless femoral access.

Background: An intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is a mechanical circulatory support platform with a relatively low complication rate. Axillary access is increasingly utilized to allow rehabilitation.

Case Summary: We present a case of femoral IABP inserted into the femoral artery percutaneously via a sheathless technique that allowed the patient to ambulate and physically rehabilitate over 102 days until cardiac transplantation.

An Unusual Cause of Coronary Occlusion During an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair: Reperfusion With Diagnostic Angiography Only.

We present a unique case of a type I peri-operative myocardial infarction during an extensive abdominal aortic aneurysm repair occurring due to the occlusion of a severe stable ostial plaque stenosis by a small overlying thrombus. During coronary angiography, the thrombus was dislodged by the diagnostic catheter which restored normal flow without stent placement. We demonstrate a care approach that was carefully arrived upon through multidisciplinary management with vascular surgery and anesthesiology colleagues.

Use of Multimodal Therapies to Treat Severe Orthostatic Hypotension From Autonomic Failure.

Orthostatic hypotension is one of the most debilitating features of autonomic failure. Presentations tend to be diverse and non-specific, ranging from dizziness and lightheadedness to loss of consciousness. Early recognition of this illness may prove to be difficult, and control of symptoms typically requires a multidisciplinary approach with patient education, pharmacologic, and device therapies.