Use of the HEAR Score for 30-Day Risk-Stratification in Emergency Department Patients.

Background: The 2021 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association chest pain guidelines recommend risk scores such as HEAR (History, Electrocardiogram, Age, Risk factors) for short-term risk stratification, yet limited data exist integrating them with high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT).

Methods: Retrospective, multicenter (n = 2), observational, US cohort study of consecutive emergency department patients without ST-elevation myocardial infarction who had at least one hs-cTnT (limit of quantitation [LoQ] <6 ng/L, and sex-specific 99th percentiles of 10 ng/L for women and 15 ng/L for men) measurement on clinical indications in whom HEAR scores (0-8) were calculated. The composite major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) outcome was 30-day prognosis.

Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Heart Failure in People with Diabetes: A Consensus Report from Diabetes Technology Society.

Diabetes Technology Society assembled a panel of clinician experts in diabetology, cardiology, clinical chemistry, nephrology, and primary care to review the current evidence on biomarker screening of people with diabetes (PWD) for heart failure (HF), who are, by definition, at risk for HF (Stage A HF). This consensus report reviews features of HF in PWD from the perspectives of 1) epidemiology, 2) classification of stages, 3) pathophysiology, 4) biomarkers for diagnosing, 5) biomarker assays, 6) diagnostic accuracy of biomarkers, 7) benefits of biomarker screening, 8) consensus recommendations for biomarker screening, 9) stratification of Stage B HF, 10) echocardiographic screening, 11) management of Stage A and Stage B HF, and 12) future directions. The Diabetes Technology Society panel recommends 1) biomarker screening with one of two circulating natriuretic peptides (B-type natriuretic peptide or N-terminal prohormone of B-type natriuretic peptide), 2) beginning screening five years following diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and at the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes (T2D), 3) beginning routine screening no earlier than at age 30 years for T1D (irrespective of age of diagnosis) and at any age for T2D, 4) screening annually, and 5) testing any time of day.

Single vs. multiple operators for chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary interventions: From the PROGRESS-CTO Registry.

Background: There is limited data on the impact of a second attending operator on chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) outcomes.

Methods: We analyzed the association between multiple operators (MOs) (>1 attending operator) and procedural outcomes of 9296 CTO PCIs performed between 2012 and 2021 at 37 centers.

Results: CTO PCI was performed by a single operator (SO) in 85% of the cases and by MOs in 15%.

Artificial intelligence-augmented electrocardiography for left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients undergoing high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T.

Aims: Our goal was to evaluate a previously validated artificial intelligence-augmented electrocardiography (AI-ECG) screening tool for left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) in patients undergoing high-sensitivity-cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT).

Methods And Results: Retrospective application of AI-ECG for LVSD in emergency department (ED) patients undergoing hs-cTnT. AI-ECG scores (0-1) for probability of LVSD (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 35%) were obtained.

Contemporary Management of Severely Calcified Coronary Lesions.

Coronary artery calcification is increasingly prevalent in our patient population. It significantly limits the procedural success of percutaneous coronary intervention and is associated with a higher risk of adverse cardiovascular events both in the short-term and long-term. There are several modalities for modifying calcified plaque, such as balloon angioplasty (including specialty balloons), coronary atheroablative therapy (rotational, orbital, and laser atherectomy), and intravascular lithotripsy.

Impact of Hospital Procedural Volume on Outcomes After Endovascular Revascularization for Critical Limb Ischemia.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the interaction between hospital endovascular lower extremity revascularization (eLER) volume and outcomes after eLER for critical limb ischemia (CLI).

Background: There is a paucity of data on the relationship between hospital procedural volume and outcomes of eLER for CLI.

Methods: The authors queried the Nationwide Readmission Database (2013-2015) for hospitalized patients who underwent eLER for CLI.

Short term outcomes of Impella in cardiogenic shock: A review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

Introduction: The clinical impact of invasive hemodynamic support with Impella in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) remains to be defined.

Method: Only studies including patients treated with Impella in CS were selected. The primary endpoint was short term mortality, while secondary endpoints were major vascular complications and major bleeding.

Primary Orbital Atherectomy for Treating a Heavily Calcified Balloon-Uncrossable Lesion.

Balloon uncrossable lesions are common and can be challenging to treat. The most commonly used initial treatment strategies are using a small balloon (occasionally intentionally rupturing it) and increasing guide catheter support. Atherectomy can be challenging to perform in this setting, as the insertion of an atherectomy guidewire requires crossing the lesion with a microcatheter or over-the-wire balloon, which often fails.

Update in the Management of Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients with Cardiogenic Shock.

Purpose Of Review: We provide a concise update on the contemporary management of cardiogenic shock in the setting of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Early shock recognition, optimal selection and initiation of mechanical circulatory support (MCS), early coronary revascularization, and a team-based, protocol-driven approach are the current pillars of management.

Recent Findings: Cardiogenic shock complicates approximately 5-10% of ACS cases and continues to have high mortality.

Outcomes with drug-coated balloons in small-vessel coronary artery disease.

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of small-vessel coronary artery disease (SVD) is associated with increased risk of restenosis. The use of drug-coated balloons (DCBs) in SVD has received limited study.

Objectives: To assess the outcomes of DCB in the treatment of SVD compared with the standard of care.

Incidence, predictors, management and outcomes of coronary perforations.

Objectives: We examined the contemporary incidence, types, predictors, angiographic characteristics, management and outcomes of coronary perforation.

Background: Coronary perforation is a rare, but important, complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). There is lack of data on perforations stratified as large and distal vessel perforations.

Use of chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention techniques for treating acute vessel closure.

Acute vessel closure due to dissection is a known complication of percutaneous coronary intervention and can be challenging to treat, especially if guidewire position is lost. Re-entering into the distal true lumen is commonly done during chronic total occlusion interventions, as part of antegrade dissection strategies. We report two cases of acute vessel closure and guidewire position loss in which the Stingray LP system was successfully used to advance a guidewire into the distal true lumen and recanalize the occluded vessel.

Successful rotational atherectomy in the setting of extensive coronary dissection: a case of failed balloon angioplasty in a nondilatable calcified lesion complicated by balloon rupture and extensive dissection.

We describe a case of rotational atherectomy (RA) used in the setting of extensive coronary dissection. Unsuccessful predilitation of a heavily calcified proximal LAD stenosis resulted in balloon rupture, which produced occlusive dissection extending into the mid LAD. Limited options for this patient required that we perform RA to permit stent delivery and deployment and avoid anterior myocardial infarction.