Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Commentary: Zoom Into The Coronary Anastomosis During Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19), Danial Ahmad, Vakhtang Tchantchaleishvili

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Utility Of Blood Cellular Indices In The Risk Stratification Of Patients Presenting With Acute Pulmonary Embolism., Brett Slajus, Yevgeniy Brailovsky, Iman Darwish, Jawed Fareed, Amir Darki

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Pulmonary embolism (PE) clinical manifestations vary widely, and that scope is not fully captured by current all-cause mortality risk models. PE is associated with inflammatory, coagulation, and hemostatic imbalances so blood cellular indices may be prognostically useful. Complete blood count (CBC) data may improve current risk models like the simplified pulmonary embolism severity index (sPESI) for all-cause mortality, offering greater accuracy and analytic ability. Acute PE patients (n = 228) with confirmatory diagnostic imaging were followed for all-cause mortality. Blood cellular indices were assessed for association to all-cause mortality and were supplemented into sPESI using multivariate logistic regression. Multiple blood …

3 Cases Of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome Following Percutaneous Right Ventricular Assist Device Placement, John R Vaile, J. Eduardo Rame, René J Alvarez, H. Todd Massey, Vakhtang Tchantchaleishvili, Alec Vishnevsky, Indranee Rajapreyar, Yevgeniy Brailovsky, Mahek Shah

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

We present 3 cases of superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome following percutaneous right ventricular assist device (RVAD) placement. Each case underscores the importance of early recognition of SVC syndrome in patients with percutaneous RVAD insertion via the internal jugular vein and calls for heightened awareness of device-associated complications. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).

Health Care Policy And Congenital Heart Disease: 2020 Focus On Our 2030 Future, Devyani Chowdhury, Jonathan N Johnson, Carissa M Baker-Smith, Robert D B Jaquiss, Arjun K Mahendran, Valerie Curren, Aarti Bhat, Angira Patel, Audrey C Marshall, Stephanie Fuller, Bradley S Marino, Christina M Fink, Keila N Lopez, Lowell H Frank, Mishaal Ather, Natalie Torentinos, Olivia Kranz, Vivian Thorne, Ryan R Davies, Stuart Berger, Christopher Snyder, Arwa Saidi, Kenneth Shaffer

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

The congenital heart care community faces a myriad of public health issues that act as barriers toward optimum patient outcomes. In this article, we attempt to define advocacy and policy initiatives meant to spotlight and potentially address these challenges. Issues are organized into the following 3 key facets of our community: patient population, health care delivery, and workforce. We discuss the social determinants of health and health care disparities that affect patients in the community that require the attention of policy makers. Furthermore, we highlight the many needs of the growing adults with congenital heart disease and those with comorbidities, …

Conservatively Managed Chronic Bronchopleural Fistula After Lung Cancer Tri-Modality Therapy: A Case Report, Nilanjan Haldar, Christian Fernandez, Nathaniel R. Evans Iii, Maria Werner-Wasik

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Fifteen-Year Trends In Incidence Of Cardiogenic Shock Hospitalization And In-Hospital Mortality In The United States., Mohammed Osman, Moinuddin Syed, Saikrishna Patibandla, Samian Sulaiman, Babikir Kheiri, Mahek K. Shah, Christopher Bianco, Sudarshan Balla, Brijesh Patel

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of contemporary data on cardiogenic shock (CS) in-hospital mortality trends.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with CS admitted January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2018, were identified from the US National Inpatient Sample. We reported the crude and adjusted trends of in-hospital mortality among the overall population and selected subgroups. Among a total of 563 949 644 hospitalizations during the period from January 1, 2004, to December 30, 2018, 1 254 358 (0.2%) were attributed to CS. There has been a steady increase in hospitalizations attributed to CS from 122 per 100 000 hospitalizations in 2004 …

Cascade Screening And Treatment Initiation In Young Adults With Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia., Amy L. Peterson, Matthew Bang, Robert C. Block, Nathan D. Wong, Dean G. Karalis

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) creates elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), causing premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Guidelines recommend cascade screening relatives and starting statin therapy at 8-10 years old, but adherence to these recommendations is low. Our purpose was to measure self-reported physician practices for cascade screening and treatment initiation for HeFH using a survey of 500 primary care physicians and 500 cardiologists: 54% "always" cascade screen relatives of an individual with FH, but 68% would screen individuals with "strong family history of high cholesterol or premature ASCVD", and 74% would screen a child of a patient with HeFH. The …

Active Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators In Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device Recipients, Kuldeep Shah, Rahul Chaudhary, Mohit K. Turagam, Mahek Shah, Brijesh Patel, Gregg Lanier, Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy, Jalaj Garg

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Introduction

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction reduces mortality secondary to malignant arrhythmias. Whether end-stage heart failure (HF) with continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (cf-LVAD) derive similar benefits remains controversial.

Methods

We performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of all published studies that examined the association between active ICDs and survival in advanced HF patients with cfLVAD. We searched PubMed, Medline, Embase, Ovid, and Cochrane for studies reporting the association between ICD and all-cause mortality in advanced HF patients with cfLVAD. Mantel-Haenszel risk ratio (RR) random-effects model was used to summarize data.

Results …

Biomarkers Of Thrombo-Inflammatory Responses In Pulmonary Embolism Patients With Pre-Existing Versus New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation., Dimpi Patel, Amir Darki, Debra Hoppensteadt, Iman Darwish, Mushabbar Syed, Yevgeniy Brailovsky, Jawed Fareed

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Pulmonary embolism (PE) patients have an increased prevalence and incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). Because comorbid AF increases risk of morbidity and mortality, we sought to investigate the role of thrombo-inflammatory biomarkers in risk stratifying patients who experience an acute PE episode. Study participants were enrolled from a Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT) registry between March 2016 and March 2019 at Loyola University Medical Center and Gottlieb Memorial Hospital. This cohort was divided into 3 groups: PE patients with a prior diagnosis of AF (n = 8), PE patients with a subsequent diagnosis of AF (n = 11), and PE …

Differences In Nt-Probnp Response And Prognosis In Men And Women With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction., Melissa A Daubert, Eric Yow, Huiman X Barnhart, Ileana L Piña, Tariq Ahmad, Eric Leifer, Lawton Cooper, Patrice Desvigne-Nickens, Mona Fiuzat, Kirkwood Adams, Justin Ezekowitz, David J Whellan, James L Januzzi, Christopher M O'Connor, G Michael Felker

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Background NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) is a prognostic biomarker in heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction. However, it is unclear whether there is a sex difference in NT-proBNP response and whether the therapeutic goal of NT-proBNP ≤1000 pg/mL has equivalent prognostic value in men and women with HF with reduced ejection fraction. Methods and Results In a secondary analysis of the GUIDE-IT (Guiding Evidence Based Therapy Using Biomarker Intensified Treatment) trial we analyzed trends in NT-proBNP and goal attainment by sex. Differences in clinical characteristics, HF treatment, and time to all-cause death or HF hospitalization were compared. Landmark …

Computational Sentiment Analysis Of An Online Left Ventricular Assist Device Support Forum: Positivity Predominates, Melissa Austin, Abhiraj Saxena, Thomas O'Malley, Elizabeth Maynes, Henry Moncure, Nathan Ott, H. Todd Massey, Francesco Moscato, Antonio Loforte, John M Stulak, Vakhtang Tchantchaleishvili

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Background: The impact of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) complications on the individual patient, overall sentiment, and its effect on referral patterns, is not fully understood. We sought to better understand patient attitudes towards LVAD therapy using a computational sentiment analysis approach.

Methods: Posts, comments, and titles were parsed from MyLVAD.com's HTML as a text file using custom Python scripts (version 3.6). Individual word frequency was computed with word classification as 'positive', 'negative', or 'neutral'. Data transformation and cleaning, sentiment determination, and analysis was performed with a binary dictionary package using R software (version 3.6).

Results: Sixty-six thousand eight hundred …

A Shocking Case Of Far-Field Atrial Oversensing In Giant-Cell Myocarditis, Tanuka Datta, Md, S. Melnick, Do, Bharaniabirami Rajaram, Md, Behzad B. Pavri

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

We report a unique case of delivery of inappropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapies related to a “perfect storm”: presence of an integrated lead, insufficient lead slack related to right heart dilation resulting in shock coil misplacement, myocarditis with loss of R waves, and the concomitant occurrence of an incessant atrial tachycardia. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.)

The Impact Of 2020 And The Future Of Cardiology Training: How Do We Innovate?, Prasanti Alekhya Kotta, Brittany Corso, Yevgeniy Brailovsky, Estefania Oliveros

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Sex Differences In Ischemic Stroke Outcomes In Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension, Tiberiu A Pana, Dana K Dawson, Mohamed O Mohamed, Fiona Murray, David Fischman, Michael Savage, Mamas A Mamas, Phyo K Myint

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: The association between systemic hypertension and cerebrovascular disease is well documented. However, the impact of pulmonary hypertension (PH) on acute ischemic stroke outcomes is unknown despite PH being recognized as a risk factor for acute ischemic stroke. We aimed to determine the association between PH and adverse in-hospital outcomes after acute ischemic stroke, as well as whether there are sex differences in this association. METHODS AND RESULTS: Acute ischemic stroke admissions from the US National Inpatient Sample between October 2015 and December 2017 were included. The relationship between PH and outcomes (mortality, prolonged hospitalization >4 days, and routine home …

Initial Experience In Monitoring Qt Intervals Using A Six-Lead Contactless Mobile Electrocardiogram In An Inpatient Setting., Daniel Frisch, Eitan Frankel, Darius Farzad, Md, Sang H Woo, Alan Kubey

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Mobile electrocardiograms (ECGs) (mECGs) using smartphone applications are an emerging technology. In the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era, minimizing patient contact has gained increasing importance. Additionally, increased QT/corrected QT (QTc) monitoring has concurrently been required. The KardiaMobile 6L ECG device, cleared by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for recording ECGs, along with the KardiaStation tablet application is a platform (AliveCor, Mountain View, CA, USA) that addresses these two issues. A team of residents, fellows, hospitalists, and cardiologists identified inpatients in need of QT/QTc interval monitoring to pilot the adoption of a system composed of a KardiaMobile 6L …

Management Of Iatrogenic Coronary Artery Dissections Failing To Prepare Is Preparing To Fail, David L. Fischman, Alec Vishnevsky, Md

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

CICAD is a rare but important complication of coronary angiography and PCI. Careful attention to preventative techniques and knowledge of effective treatment strategies will prepare operators well and facilitate successful outcomes in this potentially life-threatening complication.

Coronary Vasospasm: Not Gone But Often Forgotten, Michael Savage, Tabitha Moe

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Symptomatic Presentation Of Acute Myocardial Infarction In Heart Transplantation Patients, Shashank Jain, Dexter Jacob, Mahek Shah, David L. Fischman

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Patients with acute myocardial infarction with a history of an orthotopic heart transplantation rarely present with classic anginal symptoms, secondary to cardiac denervation. We present 2 cases, the first of a patient with a ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and the second who presented with a non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Both patients presented with typical symptoms and were treated with percutaneous coronary intervention.

Focal St-Segment Elevation Without Coronary Occlusion: Myocardial Infarction With No Obstructive Coronary Atherosclerosis Associated With Covid-19-A Case Report, Casey Meizinger, Bruce D. Klugherz

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Background: While it is understood that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is primarily complicated by respiratory failure, more data are emerging on the cardiovascular complications of this disease. A subset of COVID-19 patients present with ST-elevations on electrocardiogram (ECG) yet normal coronary angiography, a presentation that can fit criteria for myocardial infarction with no obstructive coronary atherosclerosis (MINOCA). There is little known about non-coronary myocardial injury observed in patients with COVID-19, and we present a case that should encourage further conversation and study of this clinical challenge.

Case summary: An 86-year-old man presented to our institution with acute hypoxic respiratory failure …

Algorithm For Cavo-Tricuspid Isthmus Flutter On Surface Ecgs: The Actions Study., Daniel Frisch, Eitan Frankel, Deanna Gill, Jad Al Danaf

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: Cavo-tricuspid isthmus atrial flutter (CTI-AFL) is an important arrhythmia to recognise because there is a highly effective and relatively low-risk ablation strategy. However, clinical experience has demonstrated that providers often have difficulty distinguishing AFL from atrial fibrillation.

METHODS: We developed a novel ECG-based three-step algorithm to identify CTI-AFL based on established CTI flutter characteristics and verified on consecutive ablation cases of typical flutter, atypical flutter and atrial fibrillation. The algorithm assesses V1/inferior lead F-wave concordance, consistency of P-wave morphology and the presence of isoelectric intervals in the inferior leads. In this observation study, the algorithm was validated on a …

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy In Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device Recipients: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis From Electram Investigators, Kuldeep Shah, Vallabh Karpe, Mohit Turagam, Mahek Shah, Andrea Natale, Rakesh Gopinathannair, Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy, Jalaj Garg

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Introduction: Whether cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) continues to augment left ventricular remodeling in patients with the continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (cf-LVAD) remains unclear. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of all clinical studies examining the role of continued CRT in end-stage heart failure patients with cf-LVAD reporting all-cause mortality, ventricular arrhythmias, and ICD shocks. Mantel-Haenszel risk ratio (RR) random-effects model was used to summarize data. Results: Eight studies (7 retrospective and 1 randomized) with a total of 1,208 unique patients met inclusion criteria. There was no difference in all-cause mortality (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.86-1.35, p = …