Cardiology Commons^™

Predicting Outcomes In Patients With Atrial Fibrillation And Acute Mesenteric Ischemia, Sanjay Bhandari, Geetanjali Dang, Muhammad Shahreyar, Ahmad Hanif, Vijayadershan Muppidi, Atul Bhatia, Jasbir Sra, A. Jamil Tajik, Arshad Jahangir

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose

Outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation who develop acute mesenteric ischemia, and the impact of anticoagulation on complications, are not defined.

Methods

Patients admitted with acute mesenteric ischemia in the National Inpatient Sample from 2007, with and without atrial fibrillation, were compared for in-hospital outcomes using multivariate regression, and the impact of prior anticoagulation determined.

Results

Of 48,872 patients with acute mesenteric ischemia, 8,306 had atrial fibrillation, with 680 patients also on anticoagulation. Atrial fibrillation patients were more likely to be older and have hypertension, heart failure, or chronic lung or renal disease. After adjusting for potential confounders, atrial …

Advanced Heart Failure Treatment Options Among The Elderly, German Guzman-Gutierrez, Yang Shi, Matthew Rappelt, Arshad Jahangir, Vinay Thohan

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

The aging human population has emerged as a critically important factor in health care, not only due to the unique physiologic and pathologic processes associated with aging but also because of the evolution of medical and surgical therapies that have increased quality and quantity of life. Heart failure is a disease found most commonly among older populations in whom it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Heart failure disproportionately affects the elderly, and it stands to reason that the most terminal stage, known as advanced heart failure (AHF), is more common among the elderly. Despite limited data, treatment options …

Atrial Fibrillation And Stroke In Elderly Patients, Geetanjali Dang, Imaan Jahangir, Jasbir Sra, A. Jamil Tajik, Arshad Jahangir

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

The increasing prevalence of stroke, with an estimated annual cost of $71.5 billion, has made it a major health problem that increases disability and death, particularly in patients with atrial fibrillation. Although advanced age and atrial fibrillation are recognized as strong risk factors for stroke, the basis for this susceptibility are not well defined. Aging or associated diseases are accompanied by changes in rheostatic, humoral, metabolic and hemodynamic factors that may contribute more to stroke predisposition than rhythm abnormality alone. Several thromboembolism-predisposing clinical characteristics and serum biomarkers with prognostic significance have been identified in patients with atrial fibrillation. Although anticoagulation …

Proceedings Of 2016 Aurora Scientific Day

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

This supplement includes select abstracts presented at the 42nd annual Aurora Scientific Day research symposium, held May 25, 2016, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Aurora Scientific Day provides a forum for original research conducted by faculty, fellows, residents, students and other allied health professionals affiliated with Aurora Health Care, a not-for-profit health system comprised of integrated hospitals and clinics across eastern Wisconsin and northeastern Illinois.

The Association Between Doppler Measures Of Cardiac Function And Outcomes In Patients With Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction ≤ 40% Undergoing Noncardiovascular Surgeries, Yang Shi, Rachel Pedersen, Matthew Rappelt, Robyn Shearer, Nasir Z. Sulemanjee, Dianne L. Zwicke, T. Edward Hastings, Omar M. Cheema, Vinay Thohan

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: Preoperative risk assessments of individuals who undergo major noncardiac surgery have focused on ischemic heart disease. Information on how to assess the noncardiac surgical risks for patients with depressed cardiac function, as seen in heart failure, is sparse. Echocardiography is routinely performed in patients with depressed cardiac function and is an accepted standard cardiac assessment. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) provides strong independent prognostic implications in a wide range of cardiovascular conditions.

Purpose: To identify the echocardiographic parameters associated with outcomes among patients undergoing major noncardiac surgery.

Methods: A retrospective single-institution investigation identified 1,770 patients who underwent one or more major …

Cost-Effectiveness Of Genomic-Based Warfarin Therapy, John Weissert, Kourosh Ravvaz

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: With over 40 years of demonstrated clinical efficacy, warfarin remains the world’s most used pharmaceutical to prevent ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, warfarin has many challenges. Thus, despite known effectiveness, warfarin is a leading cause to drug-induced morbidity and mortality. Over 50 different warfarin therapy protocols, including a number of pharmacogenomic-based (PG) protocols, with as many as 14 independent variables, have been developed to improve safety and efficacy, thereby reducing ischemic strokes and intracranial hemorrhages (ICH).

Purpose: To conduct a preliminary cost-effectiveness study to determine the price point at which using warfarin PG dosing to …

Predictors Of Mortality In Patients With Transient Severe Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction, Kanwar Y. Singh, Firas Zahwe, Bilal Omery, Crystal Platz, Wassim Ballany, Robyn Shearer, Tadele Mengesha, M. Eyman Mortada, Jasbir Sra, Indrajit Choudhuri

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: About 20% of patients who develop left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction will have improvement in ejection fraction (LVEF) over time. This patient cohort is generally excluded from large sudden death trials and, hence, understudied.

Purpose: To evaluate the predictors of mortality in patients with severe LV systolic dysfunction who have improvement in LVEF during follow-up.

Methods: Patients who had transient LV systolic dysfunction from 2010 to 2014 within the Aurora Health Care system and who had LVEF improve to ≥ 40%, irrespective of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implant, were studied. Predictors of mortality were identified using Cox proportional hazards model. …

Seniors Welcome! Avoiding The Trap Of Age Limits In Health Research, Arshad Jahangir

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

The guest editor introduces this specialty issue of the Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews, which focuses on cardiovascular diseases in the elderly. The reality of an aging population has increased the need for better evidence-based medicine in older patients. However, randomized controlled trials frequently exclude such patients, especially those with comorbidities, from study. This practice ignores the fact that physiologic changes to the cardiovascular system caused by the aging process and aging-associated diseases create clinical dilemmas distinct from those in younger patients. Considering the rising costs of health care and growing incidence of cardiovascular disease, research efforts and …

Zero-Fluoroscopy Cavotricuspid Isthmus Ablation Using Carto Mapping System As Sole Guiding Method, Wassim Ballany, Indrajit Choudhuri, Mohamed Djelmami-Hani, Ryan L. Cooley

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: Catheter ablation of the cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) is traditionally performed using fluoroscopy and electroanatomical mapping systems. Zero-fluoroscopy approaches have recently been studied, mostly using the EnSite^® mapping system (St. Jude Medical Inc., St. Paul, MN). We studied the feasibility and efficacy of zero-fluoroscopic mapping and ablation of the CTI using the Carto^® 3 system (Biosense Webster Inc., South Diamond Bar, CA).

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a zero-fluoroscopic approach to CTI ablation.

Methods: We included 9 patients with typical atrial flutter for whom mapping and ablation of the CTI was done using Carto mapping …

Determining The Incidence And Factors Of Cardiotoxicity In Breast Cancer Patients Treated With Anthracycline And/Or Trastuzumab-Containing Regimen At Aurora Health Care, Stephanie Ghojallu, Matthew Rappelt, Han-Yang Chen, Ruth Perez, Lydia Garlie, Geoffrey Riddell, Yingying Gu, Jun Zhang, Rubina Qamar, Bijoy K. Khandheria, Arshad Jahangir, Yang Shi

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: Anthracycline and trastuzumab are common breast cancer treatments. While improving survival, they elevate risk of congestive heart failure. The incidence of cardiotoxicity (CTx) with these therapies varies in the literature from 10% to 59%, higher than those reported in clinical trials (4%–10%) that excluded patients with preexisting cardiovascular comorbidities. Studies have failed to establish consensus on the risk factors for CTx associated with these therapies.

Purpose: We aim to determine the incidence and risk factors of CTx in breast cancer patients treated with anthracycline and/or trastuzumab at Aurora Health Care.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients with breast cancer …

Development And Validation Of A Preprocedural Risk Score To Predict Access Site Complications After Peripheral Vascular Interventions Based On The Vascular Quality Initiative Database, Daniel Ortiz, Maharaj Singh, Arshad Jahangir, Suhail Allaqaband, Anjan Gupta, Tanvir Bajwa, Mark W. Mewissen

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose

Access site complications following peripheral vascular intervention (PVI) are associated with prolonged hospitalization and increased mortality. Prediction of access site complication risk may optimize PVI care; however, there is no tool designed for this. We aimed to create a clinical scoring tool to stratify patients according to their risk of developing access site complications after PVI.

Methods

The Society for Vascular Surgery’s Vascular Quality Initiative database yielded 27,997 patients who had undergone PVI at 131 North American centers. Clinically and statistically significant preprocedural risk factors associated with in-hospital, post-PVI access site complications were included in a multivariate logistic regression …

Echocardiographic Predictors Of Admission Among Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction, Chi C. Cho, Yang Shi, Robyn Shearer, Nasir Z. Sulemanjee, Dianne L. Zwicke, T. Edward Hastings, Omar M. Cheema, Vinay Thohan

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: Congestive heart failure afflicts 5.7 million people in the United States with annual incidence of 600,000 and mortality of 280,000. Heart failure accounts for greater than 1 million hospitalizations annually and the single largest inpatient Medicare expense. As the U.S. population ages and greater emphasis is placed on population health as a means to bend projected health care expenditures, large health care organizations will need to develop algorithms to identify patients at high risk with heart failure and possibly preempt hospitalizations. Doppler echocardiography is routinely performed in clinical assessment of severe heart failure.

Purpose: We sought to determine echocardiographic …

A Meta-Analysis Of Incidence And Risk Factors Of Trastuzumab-Induced Cardiotoxicity In Breast Cancer, Zeeshan Ali Jawa, Ruth M. Perez, Lydia Garlie, Maharaj Singh, Rubina Qamar, Bijoy K. Khandheria, Arshad Jahangir, Yang Shi

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: A monoclonal antibody, trastuzumab targets the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) oncogene that is overexpressed in 25–30% of breast cancers. In combination with first-line therapy, trastuzumab resulted in significant improvement in survival outcomes for those with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Due to its improvement in outcome and prolonged survival, trastuzumab has been established as standard of care in both adjuvant and metastatic settings. However, along with common adverse events, trastuzumab has been found to be associated with cardiotoxicity. An estimated 1–4% of patients treated with trastuzumab will develop heart failure and ~10% of patients will experience a …

Stent Thrombosis: Regional Prevalence, Risk Factors, And Outcomes, Andrew M. Ayers, Chi C. Cho, Robyn Shearer, M. Fuad Jan, Anjan Gupta

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: Stent thrombosis is an infrequent but catastrophic complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Many studies usually involve few stent thrombosis patients, generally less than 60, given its prevalence. While dual antiplatelet therapy has decreased stent thrombosis significantly in the general population, there are still patients who present with occurrence and recurrence of stent thrombosis.

Purpose: We sought to define the prevalence of site-specific stent thrombosis in a larger cohort of patients by specific coronary territories and determine if this had an effect on cardiovascular outcomes. In addition we sought to elucidate the role of previous coronary artery bypass grafting …

Real-World Relevance Of Manual Electrocardiography Qt Interval Measurement, Satish Velagapudi, Zahra Nur Khaled, Bilal Omery, Firas Zahwe, Michael Anigbogu, Sarah Zukkoor, Indrajit Choudhuri

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: Electrocardiography (ECG) QT interval (QTI) prolongation independently predicts sudden death. Hospitalized patients are commonly exposed to multiple QT-prolonging drugs, and manual measurement of ECG QTI based on identifying the intersection of isoelectricity with the tangent to the terminal phase T-wave slope (QTTTT) is advocated due to inaccuracies in automated detection algorithms that may imprecisely identify QT duration.

Purpose: We evaluated the performance of QTTTT compared to a standard automated (12SL, GE Healthcare) method (QT-12SL).

Methods: Consecutively obtained ECGs of 250 hospitalized patients were reviewed. The QTI in leads II, aVR, V5 and V6 determined by QT-12SL and QTTTT were …

Feasibility Of Atrial Delivery And Tracking Of Stem Cells In A Porcine Model, Nina Garlie, Timothy Hacker, Eric G. Schmuck, Jill Koch, Jayant Khitha, Amish Raval, Indrajit Choudhuri

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: Many patients undergoing open heart surgery have sinus node dysfunction and atrial fibrillation, leading to adverse outcomes. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) delivered at the time of surgery may have a reparative effect on atrial tissue, thereby improving sinus node function and reducing or preventing atrial fibrillation. Stem cell delivery to the atrium is entirely unstudied. This is a significant gap in medical research, as atrial disease contributes significantly to health care costs.

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study is to establish a technique to deliver MSC to the atria through an open-chest model, to assess the safety of …

The Effect Of Percutaneous Closure Of Large Atrial Septal Defects On Right Ventricular Function In Adults, Armaan Shaikh, Alejandro Lopez-Mas, Suhail Allaqaband, Bijoy K. Khandheria, Abraham Getenet, Matt M. Umland, Maharaj Singh, Tanvir Bajwa

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: Percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects has been shown to be a safe alternative to surgery. Despite this, past studies have largely been focused on either small- to medium-sized atrial septal defects or percutaneous closure in children and young adults.

Purpose: Our study sought to examine if right ventricular function and size improved after percutaneous closure of large atrial septal defects in the adult population.

Methods: Over a 5-year span, 25 patients underwent percutaneous closure of a secundum atrial septal defect with an occluder device. A retrospective examination was conducted for each patient, including both echocardiography and chart review …

Coronary Aorta Systolic And Diastolic Pressure Indices: Two Novel Indicators For Predicting Significant Coronary Stenosis –– A Validation Against Fractional Flow Reserve, Mirza Mujadil Ahmad, Khawaja Afzal Ammar, Mirza Nubair Ahmad, Arsalan Riaz, Fatima A. Husain, Syed Shahab Kazmi, Imran Husain, Anjan Gupta

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: Since most of the coronary flow occurs in diastole, either mean Pd/Pa or iFR has been used to measure the hemodynamic significance of a coronary stenosis. We have observed that a significant pressure gradient exists in coronary stenosis even in systole, which is contrary to general understanding but similar to ankle brachial index. Furthermore, prior studies have evaluated baseline Pd/Pa (mean coronary artery/mean aorta pressure) ratio as well as iFR (instantaneous wave-free ratio obtained during entire period of diastole) to predict fractional flow reserve (FFR) ≤ 0.80. We hypothesized a simple end-systolic and -diastolic pressure measurement in the coronary …

Contemporary Usage Of Intra-Arterial Catheter-Directed Thrombolytic (Cdt) Power Pulse Spray With Rheolytic Thrombectomy In Failed Cdt Alone For Acute Limb Ischemia, Hani Hashim, M. Fuad Jan, Maharaj Singh, Suhail Allaqaband, Tanvir Bajwa, Anjan Gupta

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: Acute lower limb ischemia (ALI) caused by arterial embolism, thrombosis of native vessels, and/or grafts is a serious condition associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Peripheral arterial thrombolysis utilizing catheter-directed thrombolytic (CDT) has become established as a useful option in the management of ALI. However, use and outcome of adjunctive power pulse spray with rheolytic thrombectomy (PPSRT) following unsuccessful CDT is underreported in the literature.

Purpose: To evaluate outcome of contemporary use of intra-arterial CDT PPSRT as an adjunct to unsuccessful standard CDT for ALI.

Methods: We reviewed 78 consecutive patients (mean age 69 ± 14.2 years, 48.8% female) …

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing-Based Algorithm And Its Usefulness In Clinical Cardiology, Mirza Nubair Ahmad, Syed Hasan Yusuf, Rafath Ullah, Mary Ellis, Haroon Yousaf, Timothy E. Paterick, Khawaja Afzal Ammar

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: Only cardiopulmonary exercise (CPX) testing provides information on the ability of the cardiovascular system to meet the body’s metabolic demands in terms of oxygen consumption (VO₂) and carbon dioxide production (VCO₂). However, CPX testing is underutilized by cardiologists due to complex diagnostic algorithms involving up to 30 variables as well as lack of validation studies. In addition, CPX also provides oxygen (O₂) pulse as a continuous measure of stroke volume, which is its superiority to other stress modalities in which systolic function is measured at peak stress and rest. In the literature, it …

Score Big For Decreasing Mortality: Icd Risk Score Model, Linda Francaviglia, Rachel Petersen, Maria Stone, M. Eyman Mortada

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: Aurora Health Care, a system of 14 acute care hospitals in eastern Wisconsin, has been a long-time participant in the American College of Cardiology’s National Cardiovascular Data Registries, submitting data to its ICD Registry™ since 2005. Our system’s implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) procedure volume averages 930 cases annually. During 2012 we experienced an increase in in-hospital mortality/morbidity for ICD cases.

Purpose: A single-center study examining in-hospital mortality/morbidity post-ICD implant before and after changes in practice and patient selection.

Methods: ICD implants and generator changes discharged from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2012, were included in developing a risk model …

Type Ii Endoleak Following Endovascular Repair Of Infrarenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Innovative Transgraft Approach To Contemporary Management, M. Fuad Jan, Mark W. Mewissen

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Elective endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is the first-line therapeutic option for patients with infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. However, endoleaks –– persistent blood flow outside the lumen of the stent graft (or endograft) but within the aneurysm sac or adjacent vascular segment being treated by the graft –– continue to be a persistent problem in the post-EVAR setting. The type II endoleak is the most common of these and can be a demanding challenge to address by standard endovascular techniques. Currently, two prominent endovascular techniques exist for the management of type II endoleaks: direct translumbar embolization and transarterial embolization. Both of …

Use Of Coronary Techniques In Celiac And Hepatic Artery Stenting In Post-Hepatic Transplant Patients, Harpreet Parmar, Ryan Beard, Mark W. Mewissen, Armaan Shaikh, Tanvir Bajwa

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Hepatic artery stenosis (HAS) remains a rare but serious complication after liver transplantation. While invasive surgical techniques were needed for HAS treatment in the past, recently endovascular techniques, including hepatic artery stenting, have been proven to be a safe and effective treatment. The present work focused on a review of the recent literature regarding HAS as well as recent cases demonstrating the various presentations of HAS and the variety of approaches to endovascular intervention. Our single-center experience has shown endovascular treatment of HAS to be safe and effective, including the two specific cases discussed here. While further research is needed, …

Subclavian Vein Stenosis/Occlusion Following Transvenous Cardiac Pacemaker And Defibrillator Implantation: Incidence, Pathophysiology And Current Management, Brian O'Leary, Suhail Allaqaband

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Subclavian vein stenosis is a common, but usually asymptomatic, complication following cardiac device placement. In addition to reviewing the literature on incidence, pathogenesis and management options for this important clinical problem, we describe two cases of symptomatic subclavian vein occlusion following pacemaker/defibrillator placement and successful treatment with venoplasty and stenting.

Novel Oral Anticoagulants For Stroke Prophylaxis And Venous Thromboembolism Prevention And Treatment, Laith G. Alsayegh

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are becoming popular management options for stroke prophylaxis in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation as well as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism treatment and prophylaxis. NOACs have similar efficacy to warfarin along with noninferior safety profiles. Patient comorbidities, size, renal and hepatic function, and concomitant drug regimen play a role in which NOAC a physician may choose.

A Tale Of Two Techniques: Demystifying The Myth, M. Fuad Jan

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

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Clinical Outcomes After Drug-Eluting Stents Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery In High Surgical Risk Patients With Left Main Or Three-Vessel Coronary Artery Disease, Tonga Nfor, Kambiz Shetabi, Wael Hassan, Quinta Nfor, Jayant Khitha, Anjan Gupta, Tanvir Bajwa, Suhail Allaqaband

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose

Previous studies comparing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) in patients with unprotected left main or three-vessel coronary artery disease (LM-3VD) have excluded patients at high surgical risk. We compared clinical outcomes after PCI with drug-eluting stents to CABG in high surgical risk patients with LM-3VD.

Methods

Patients with symptomatic LM-3VD who had Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS)-predicted operative mortality >5% and were undergoing either PCI with drug-eluting stents or CABG at a tertiary care center from January 2009 to December 2010 were enrolled in this nonrandomized prospective study.

Results

Mean STS score was …

Impact Of The Heart Watch Program On Patients At Risk Of Developing Metabolic Syndrome, Prediabetes Or Cardiovascular Disease, Jennifer T. Fink, Kathryn K. Havens, Julia A. Schumacher, Renee E. Walker, George L. Morris Iii, David A. Nelson, Maharaj Singh, Ron A. Cisler

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose

Metabolic syndrome is a set of metabolic risk factors associated with increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. We retrospectively evaluated the effectiveness of a lifestyle modification program (Heart WATCH) geared toward reducing development of chronic disease in women deemed at risk for metabolic syndrome, prediabetes and/or cardiovascular disease.

Methods

Our institution’s Heart WATCH program consists of screening sessions with a multidisciplinary team (physician/nurse, nutritionist and psychologist), a minimum of three visits with a nurse practitioner and weekly follow-up phone calls for a 14-week period. Sociodemographic variables were obtained at initial visit. Biometric testing indices …

Clinical Guidelines: Where Environment Meets Medicine, Dennis J. Baumgardner

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

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Association Between Body Surface Area And Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, Kambiz Shetabi, Tonga Nfor, Fengyi Shen, Anjan Gupta, Tanvir Bajwa, Suhail Allaqaband

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose

Obesity is a well-known risk factor for adverse cardiovascular events, but some studies suggest higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with better outcomes after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We sought to determine the effect of body surface area (BSA) on adverse events after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for STEMI and how this relates to the reported obesity paradox theory.

Methods

We analyzed a prospective registry of patients with STEMI who underwent primary PCI at a tertiary care hospital from 2003 to 2009. Post-PCI complications and 1-year all-cause mortality were compared across BSA quartiles. Relationship with 1-year …