Cardiology Commons^™

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 …

Tolerability Of Intermittent Hemodialysis In A Cohort Of Patients With Left Ventricular Assist Device, Christopher Areephanthu, Amr Elhusseini, Bennet George, Jessica Mcabee, B. Peter Sawaya

The VAD Journal

Background: The use of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has emerged as a popular treatment for patients with advanced heart failure. It is not uncommon for these patients to suffer from renal failure requiring renal replacement therapy. The purpose of this study is to assess hemodynamic parameters and ability to complete the prescribed hemodialysis session in a series of patients who underwent numerous dialysis treatments.

Methods: Nine patients with Heart Mate II LVAD received 170 intermittent inpatient hemodialysis treatments between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2012. Assessment included vital signs, ultrafiltrate removed, hemodialysis duration, symptoms, early terminations (ET), and …

Left Ventricular Noncompaction Syndrome: A Rare Congenital Cardiomyopathy, Ashwini V. Mallad, Mbbs, Waseem Ahmed, Md, Madhulika Urella, Md, Dr. Mehiar El-Hamdani, Md, Facc, Fscai

Mehiar El Hamdani, MD

Isolated left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC) is a rare congenital condition occurring due to arrest of myocardial compaction in the first trimester, resulting in a thin layer of compacted epicardium and thick hypertrabeculated myocardium containing deep recesses. This article presents a 44-year-old female with progressive dyspnea, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and pleuritic chest pain. Examination revealed elevated jugular venous distention, lower extremity edema, and bibasilar crackles on lung auscultation, while the electrocardiogram (EKG) exhibited left bundle branch block. Two-dimensional echocardiography (2D-Echo) showed a dilated left ventricle (LV) with ejection fraction (EF) of 25% and severe diffuse hypokinesia. Cardiac magnetic resonance …

Left Ventricular Noncompaction Syndrome: A Rare Congenital Cardiomyopathy, Ashwini V. Mallad, Waseem Ahmed, Madhulika Urella, Dr. Mehiar El-Hamdani Md, Facc, Fscai

Mehiar El Hamdani, MD

Cardiac MRI showing thick myocardium of left ventricle.

Retrograde Pedal Access For Revascularization Of Infrapopliteal Arterial Occlusive Disease In Critical Limb Ischemia (Cli) Patients As A Primary Approach., Ahmed Amro, Alaa Gabi, Shahed Elhamdani, Haytham Aljoudi, Mehiar El-Hamdani

Mehiar El Hamdani, MD

Introduction: We are presenting three cases (out of similar several cases) where tibio-pedal approach was performed as an initial primary approach for limb salvage in patients with CLI secondary to Infra-popliteal (IP) disease. We consider this approach to be a necessary evolution in endovascular intervention. Discussion: Retrograde pedal access is safe, feasible with high technical success rate and a relatively low procedural complication rate, with low 30 days mortality and low rate of major adverse cardiac events. Freedom from major adverse limb events and limb salvage are both high at 1 year follow up. It allows quick therapy and short …

Endovascular Therapy Of Tasc-D Lesion In Critical Limb Ischemia, Ahmed Amro, Md, Alaa Gabi, Md, Dr. Mehiar El-Hamdani, Md, Facc, Fscai

Mehiar El Hamdani, MD

CLI (Rutherford class IV-VI) is a terminal stage of peripheral artery disease (PAD); it is defined by the presence of resting pain and/or tissue loss for at least two weeks that may require urgent revascularization to promote healing and prevent limb loss.For patients with infrarenal aortoiliac occlusive disease, the revascularization options are surgery like aortofemoral bypass and axillofemoral bypass or percutaneous intervention. Aortoiliac and aortofemoral bypass procedures are associated with 74% to 95% 5-year patency rates, respectively, which are comparable but not superior to percutaneous therapies.These operations may imply a significant morbidity and mortality on CLI patients who usually have …

Isolated Idiopathic Aortitis With An Unusually Thickened Aortic Wall: Case Report, John Yoon, Irina Gruboy, Altheeb Zaid, Mark Connolly, Wilbert S. Aronow, Walid Elozomor, Jamshed Zuberi

NYMC Faculty Publications

Aortitis includes a broad range of disorders involving inflammation of the aorta. While most forms of aortitis can be linked to a specific cause, patients with idiopathic aortitis (IDA), are asymptomatic and usually diagnosed after surgical removal. The specific pathophysiology is not well understood, but can be strongly associated with tobacco smoking, young age at presentation, and family history of aortic aneurysm. Wall thickening is the most common physical characteristic of aortitis, and the inflammation can affect any layer of the aorta. The normal wall thickness of the aorta is less than 4 mm and can be as thick as …

Mahaim Tachycardia Induced Cardiomyopathy, Ibrahim Gul, Qamaruddin Roziman, Aamir Hameed Khan

Section of Cardiology

We present the case report of a 22-year man, with incessant palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, and pulsations in his neck for the past 7 months. He was referred to the cardiology unit for workup of wide complex tachycardia (WCT). His echocardiography, 6 months earlier, had demonstrated severe left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction, severe global hypokinesia, mild tricuspid regurgitation (TR), and mild mitral regurgitation (MR) which resolved with medical therapy including beta-blockers. He underwent electrophysiological study, which revealed a decremental right sided atriofascicular pathway causing a WCT with left bundle branch block (LBBB) morphology and left axis deviation (LAD, …

Assessment Of Diastolic Function In Single-Ventricle Patients After The Fontan Procedure., Renee Margossian, Lynn A. Sleeper, Gail D. Pearson, Piers C. Barker, Luc Mertens, Michael D. Quartermain, Jason T. Su, Girish S. Shirali, Shan Chen, Steven D. Colan, Pediatric Heart Network Investigators

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Patients with functional single ventricles after the Fontan procedure have abnormal cardiac mechanics. The aims of this study were to determine factors that influence diastolic function and to describe associations of diastolic function with current clinical status.

METHODS: Echocardiograms were obtained as part of the Pediatric Heart Network Fontan Cross-Sectional Study. Diastolic function grade (DFG) was assessed as normal (grade 0), impaired relaxation (grade 1), pseudonymization (grade 2), or restrictive (grade 3). Studies were also classified dichotomously (restrictive pattern present or absent). Relationships between DFG and pre-Fontan variables (e.g., ventricular morphology, age at Fontan, history of volume-unloading surgery) and …

Branched Chain Amino Acids Cause Liver Injury In Obese/Diabetic Mice By Promoting Adipocyte Lipolysis And Inhibiting Hepatic Autophagy., Fuyang Zhang, Shihao Zhao, Wenjun Yan, Yunlong Xia, Xiyao Chen, Wei Wang, Jinglong Zhang, Chao Gao, Cheng Peng, Feng Yan, Huishou Zhao, Kun Lian, Yan Lee, Ling Zhang, Wayne Bond Lau, Xin-Liang Ma, Ling Tao

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

The Western meat-rich diet is both high in protein and fat. Although the hazardous effect of a high fat diet (HFD) upon liver structure and function is well recognized, whether the co-presence of high protein intake contributes to, or protects against, HF-induced hepatic injury remains unclear. Increased intake of branched chain amino acids (BCAA, essential amino acids compromising 20% of total protein intake) reduces body weight. However, elevated circulating BCAA is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and injury. The mechanisms responsible for this quandary remain unknown; the role of BCAA in HF-induced liver injury is unclear. Utilizing HFD or …

Parental Refusal Of Surgery In An Infant With Tricuspid Atresia., Alexander A. Kon, Angira Patel, Steven Leuthner, John Lantos

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

We present a case of a fetal diagnosis of tricuspid atresia (TA). The pregnant woman and her husband requested that the baby be treated with only palliative care. The cardiologist did not think it would be appropriate to withhold life-prolonging surgery once the infant was born. The neonatologist argued that outcomes for TA are similar to those for hypoplastic left heart syndrome, and the standard practice at the institution was to allow parents to choose surgery or end-of-life care for those infants. The team requested an ethics consultation to assist in determining whether forgoing life-prolonging interventions in this case would …

Tct-353 Underweight Status, Platelet Reactivity, And 2-Year Clinical Outcomes In Patients Undergoing Pci With Des: An Adapt-Des Study Analysis., Puja B. Parikh Md, Ajay J. Kirtane Md, Giora Weisz Md, Thomas D. Stuckey Md, M Ozgu Ozan Ms, Bernhard Witzenbichler Md, Michael J. Rinaldi Md, Franz-Josef Neumann Md, D Christopher Metzger Md, Timothy D. Henry Md, David A. Cox Md, Peter L. Duffy Md, Bruce R. Brodie Md, Ernest Mazzaferri Md, Roxana Mehran Md, Gregg W. Stone Md

Department of Medicine

Background

The relationships between underweight status, platelet reactivity, and clinical outcomes after PCI with DES are not well understood.

Methods

ADAPT-DES was a prospective, multicenter study of 8582 pts treated with aspirin and clopidogrel in whom routine measurement of P2Y12 reaction units (PRU) by VerifyNow testing was performed following successful DES implantation. Pts were classified according to the following body mass index (BMI) groups: Underweight (BMI/m2), normal weight (20 kg/m2 ≤ BMI/m2), overweight (25 kg/m2 ≤ BMI/m2), and obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2).

Results

Underweight pts were more often female, smokers, had higher rates of peripheral arterial disease and renal insufficiency, …

The Short-Term And Long-Term Effects Of Biofeedback-Assisted Relaxation Therapy In Patients With Heart Failure: A Randomized Control Study, Tsuey-Yuan Huang, Debra K. Moser, Shiow-Li Hwang

Nursing Faculty Publications

Background: Relaxation techniques can reduce sympathetic nervous system activation and stress, potentially improving heart failure patients’ physical and psychological outcomes.

Purpose: To examine the effects of biofeedback-assisted relaxation (BFAR) therapy in patients with heart failure.

Methods: A prospective randomized control study was conducted. Participants in the treatment group received BFAR therapy, while participants in the control group received standard of care. Short-term outcomes were physical symptoms and psychosocial variables measured at baseline and 3 months; long-term outcomes were cardiac events and mortality assessed at 12 months.

Results: Fifty-two heart failure patients participated in the study: 23 (mean age 60.0 ± …

Tct-352 Proportion Of Ischemic Risk After Pci Mediated By High Platelet Reactivity On Clopidogrel: Analysis From The Adapt-Des Study., Björn Redfors, Ori Ben-Yehuda Md, Sheng-Hsuan Lin, Ariel Furer, Ajay J. Kirtane Md, Bernhard Witzenbichler Md, Giora Weisz Md, Thomas D. Stuckey Md, Akiko Maehara Md, Philippe Généreux Md, Gennaro Giustino Md, Michael J. Rinaldi Md, Franz-Josef Neumann Md, D Christopher Metzger Md, Timothy D. Henry Md, David A. Cox Md, Peter L. Duffy Md, Ernest L. Mazzaferri Md, Girma M. Ayele, Roxana Mehran Md, Gary Mintz, Gregg W. Stone Md

Department of Medicine

No abstract provided.

Tct-237 Outcomes After Successful Pci Of Severely Calcified Lesions Using Rotational Atherectomy, Cutting Balloon, Or Balloon Angioplasty Only Before Second-Generation Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation., Björn Redfors, Philippe Généreux Md, Akiko Maehara Md, Ajay J. Kirtane Md, Rushad Dordi, Bernhard Witzenbichler Md, Giora Weisz Md, Thomas D. Stuckey Md, Michael J. Rinaldi Md, Franz-Josef Neumann Md, D Christopher Metzger Md, Timothy D. Henry Md, David A. Cox Md, Peter L. Duffy Md, Ernest L. Mazzaferri Md, Claire Litherland Ms, Roxana Mehran Md, Gary Mintz, Gregg W. Stone Md

Department of Medicine

No abstract provided.

Cardiac Consequences Of The Heroin Epidemic: Loperamide Causing Torsades De Pointes, Justin L. Guthier Do, Apurva Vyas Md

Department of Medicine

No abstract provided.

An Unusual Migration Of A Stent: A Case Report, Fikadu G. Tekleyes Md, Melissa D. Lester Md, Mark A. Studeny Md, Ellen A. Thompson Md, Steven Craig Md

Ellen A. Thompson

Stent dislodgment and embolization is a rare complication of coronary stenting. There are reports of intra-coronary stent entrapment, stripping, and dislodgement during percutaneous coronary interventions causing potentially life threatening complications, including intra-coronary or systemic embolization. Reports of dislodgment and migration of previously placed drug eluting intra-coronary stent several months after deployment are very limited in the literature. We describe a drug eluting stent dislodgment and migration in an 88 year-old male 10 months after its deployment.

Vitamin K2 (Menaquinone) Supplementation And Its Benefits In Cardiovascular Disease, Osteoporosis, And Cancer, Grant S. Buchanan, Md, Thomas Melvin, Brandon Merritt, Charles Bishop, Md, Franklin D. Shuler, Md, Phd

Franklin D. Shuler

Vitamin K is known to play an essential role in the coagulation cascade; however, a growing body of research has found that a subtype of this vitamin, vitamin K2 (menaquinone) may have a beneficial effect in osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. This purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of recent literature regarding menaquinone and its role in human health. This review discusses the physiology of menaquinone, its clinical benefits in cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and cancer, and how it may interact with certain medications. The authors conclude that menaquinone supplementation has been shown to improve carboxylation of …

Lack Of Cross-Reactivity Allergy Following A Switch From Alirocumab To Evolocumab, Matthew D. Stryker, Michael Kane, Robert Busch

Excerpts in Pharmacy Research Journal

The proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) gene and gain-of-function mutations were first described in 2003. The gain-of-function mutations observed were associated with low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in the 400’s, in addition to premature cardiovascular disease. Subsequent loss-of-function experiments conducted in mice demonstrated marked reductions in plasma cholesterol levels in the absence of PCSK9. Physiologically, PCSK9 serves as a chaperone protein and functions to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor recycling; consequently, less LDL-C is removed from circulation and serum lipid concentrations become elevated. Inhibition of PCSK9 prevents LDL receptor degradation and preserves receptor recycling to the hepatocyte surface; this in …

Acute Limb Ischemia Due To A Fractured Superficial Femoral Artery Stent, Alaa Gabi, Ahmed Amro, Haytham Aljoudi, Faisal Hayat, Rameez Sayyed

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) is a rapidly growing and recognized disease of the peripheral circulation. Its presentation can vary between asymptomatic state, exercise limiting limb pain, limb loss and even death. Advances have been achieved in the treatment of PVD specially in the field of interventional cardiovascular medicine. Different devices and techniques are used in the treatment of peripheral atherosclerotic disease, which has lowered the need for bypass surgery. Although invasive peripheral intervention has a low rate of complications, there are still well recognized acute and chronic complications that an operator should be aware of. We present an interesting case …