Rihal, Charanjit S.

Background There are limited data on the role of temporary mechanical circulatory support ( MCS ) devices for cardiogenic shock before left ventricular assist device ( LVAD ) surgery. This study sought to evaluate the trends of use and outcomes of MCS in cardiogenic shock before LVAD surgery. Methods and Results This was a retrospective cohort study from 2005 to 2014 using the National Inpatient Sample (20% stratified sample of US hospitals). This study identified admissions undergoing LVAD surgery with preoperative cardiogenic shock. Admissions for other cardiac surgery and heart transplant were excluded. Temporary MCS was identified using administrative codes. The primary outcome was hospital mortality and secondary outcomes were hospital costs and lengths of stay in admissions with and without MCS use. In this 10‐year period, 9753 admissions were identified with 40.6% requiring pre‐ LVAD MCS . There was a temporal increase in the frequency of cardiogenic shock associated with an increase in non–intra‐aortic balloon pump MCS devices. The cohort receiving MCS had greater in‐hospital myocardial infarction, ventricular arrhythmias, and use of coronary angiography. On multivariable analysis, older age, myocardial infarction, and need for MCS devices were independently predictive of higher in‐hospital mortality. In 696 propensity‐matched pairs, use of MCS was predictive of higher in‐hospital mortality (odds ratio 1.4 [95% confidence interval 1.1–1.6]; P =0.02) and higher hospital costs, but similar lengths of stay. Conclusions In patients with cardiogenic shock bridged to LVAD therapy, there was a steady increase in preoperative MCS use. Use of MCS identified patients at higher risk for in‐hospital mortality and greater resource utilization.

Objective The presence of aortic paravalvular leak (PVL) is associated with lower survival, but a direct comparison of its impact after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) versus surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) has not been performed. This study sought to determine the differential influence of PVL on survival following TAVR versus SAVR and in patients with varying levels of risk as defined by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) risk score. Methods Patients with and without postprocedural PVL were identified from 2290 patients undergoing TAVR or SAVR at Mayo Clinic between 2008 and 2014. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Results There were 588 patients with PVL (374 TAVR, 214 SAVR): age 78±11 years, 63% male and mean follow-up of 3±2 years. PVL was trivial/mild in 442 (75%) patients. In propensity-matched analyses (n=86 per group), the overall survival at 1 and 4 years was 93% and 56% vs 89% and 61% in patients with PVL after TAVR versus SAVR, respectively (p=0.43). The presence or degree of PVL severity had no influence on survival of patients with high STS score (≥8%), while the presence of greater than mild PVL predicted worse survival in those with STS score <8%. During the first year after PVL diagnosis, while either improvement or stable PVL grade was seen in the majority of patients, worsening of PVL grade was more common in the TAVR group (19%) versus the SAVR group (4%) (p<0.0001). Conclusions At mid-term follow-up, the presence of PVL was associated with equally unfavourable outcomes following SAVR or TAVR. In patients with high STS risk score, the presence of PVL was not independently associated with increased mortality.

Background Post‐myocardial infarction (MI) ventricular septal defects (PIVSD) are an uncommon but life‐threatening complication of acute MI. Although surgical closure has been the standard of care, mortality, and recurrence of VSD remain high even after emergent surgery. Transcatheter VSD closure (TCC) devices have become an alternative or adjunct to surgical closure. Methods Online database search was performed for studies that included adults with PIVSD who underwent medical treatment (MT) alone, surgical closure (SC) (early or late), and TCC (early, late, or for post‐surgical residual VSD). Results Twenty‐six studies were included with a total of 737 patients who underwent either MT ( N = 100), SC (early ( n = 167), late ( n = 100)), and TCC (early ( n = 176), late ( n = 115), or post‐surgical residual VSD ( n = 79)). The 30‐day mortality among MT group was 92 ± 6.3%, among SC was 61 ± 22.5% (early 56 ± 23%, late 41 ± 30%), and for all TCC patients was 33 ± 24% (early 54 ± 32.7%, late 16 ± 26%), and TCC for post‐surgical residual VSD 11 ± 34.9%. The mortality among overall SC, overall TCC and early TCC groups was significantly lower as compared with the MT ( P < 0.001 for all comparisons). The overall mortality among all TCC, and late TCC groups was significantly lower when compared with the late SC ( P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, respectively). Conclusion Closure of PIVSD decreases mortality as compared with MT alone and should be attempted as early as possible after diagnosis. Selection of TCC versus SC should be based on factors including complexity of the defect, availability of closure devices, expertise of the operator, and clinical condition of patient.

AbstractObjectivesThis study reports long‐term outcomes percutaneous Melody valve (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota) valve‐in‐valve therapy in patients with prosthetic valve dysfunction.BackgroundRepeat valve surgery is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Transcatheter mitral valve‐in‐valve is a promising alternative in patients at high‐risk for cardiac surgery.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of 13 patients who underwent Melody valve‐in‐valve for bioprosthetic dysfunction from July 2011 to October 2013.ResultsMean age was 74.4 years, 46% male, and STS score 13.5 ± 6.8%. All patients had NYHA class 3 or 4 symptoms with improvement to class 1 or 2 in 82% post procedure. Median follow‐up was 4.5 years with longest follow‐up of 5.5 years. Thirty‐day mortality was 15.4% with 1‐year mortality of 25% and no other reported deaths until 4.5 years. 76.9% of patients had mitral gradient of 5 mmHg or less immediately postprocedure. One patient required repeat valve procedure for structural deterioration at 4.4 years. At 1, 3, and 5 year follow‐ups 75% of patients were NYHA class 1 or 2, mean gradients were 4.5 ± 0.6, 6.8 ± 0.5, and 7.5 ± 0.7, respectively. Using 4‐point scale, mitral regurgitation postprocedure was 0.8 ± 0.6. At 1, 3, and 5 years this increased to 1.0 ± 1.1, 1.3 ± 1.3, and 2.5 ± 2.1, respectively.ConclusionsMelody valve‐in‐valve therapy was effective with 1‐year symptomatic improvement. Prosthesis deterioration requiring repeat intervention was observed in one patient. Larger cohorts with multicenter registries are needed to determine the role of this percutaneous valve‐in‐valve therapy as valve technology and procedural techniques improve.

AbstractObjectiveTo study the effect of percutaneous paravalvular leak closure on hemolysis.BackgroundAlthough transcatheter PVL closure reduces heart failure and mortality in symptomatic patients with paravalvular leaks (PVL), little is known about its effect on hemolysis.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed patients undergoing transcatheter mitral or aortic PVL closure (January 2005–December 2016) at Mayo Clinic. Patients with anemia or abnormal hemolysis markers (LDH, haptoglobin) were included in the analysis. The primary outcome was defined as hemoglobin increase ≥ 1.5 mg/dL, decrease in LDH above median or improvement in haptoglobin. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression modeling were used to determine predictors of successful treatment of hemolysis.ResultsFinal study population included 168 patients (130 [77%] mitral, 38 [23%] aortic PVL). Primary outcome occurred in 70 patients (42%). Hemoglobin increased by 1.74 ± 1.69 mg/dL in patients who reached primary outcome. 57/168 (34%) patients required blood transfusion prior to PVL closure compared to 35/168 (21%) postprocedure. The mean reduction in LDH was 403 U/L. Multivariate regression showed that patients with mechanical valves were more likely to have successful outcome (P = 0.044).ConclusionPercutaneous PVL closure is associated with modest improvement in hemolysis markers, increase in hemoglobin levels and reduction in blood transfusion requirements. This benefit is most significant in patients with mechanical valves.

AbstractBackgroundCoronary ischemia requiring early percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a rare but serious complication of isolated valve surgery. We sought of assess the incidence, predictors and outcomes of early PCI after isolated valve surgery using the national inpatient sample.MethodsPatients who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR), isolated mitral valve repair (MVr) or replacement (MVR) between 2003 and 2014 were identified. Patients who had early postoperative PCI were compared with patients who did not require PCI. Primary end point was in‐hospital mortality. Secondary endpoints were complications, length‐of‐stay and cost.ResultsAmong the 135,611 included patients, 1,074 (0.8%) underwent PCI prior to discharge. Unadjusted in‐hospital mortality was higher in patients requiring early PCI following AVR (11.2 vs. 3.1%), MVR (24.1 vs. 5.5%), and MVr (22.4 vs. 2.5%) (P < 0.001) compared with patients not requiring PCI. Postoperative PCI remained independently associated with higher mortality after adjusting for demographics, comorbidities and hospital characteristics (adjusted OR [aOR] = 3.74, 95%CI 2.70–5.17 for AVR, aOR = 6.10, 95%CI 4.53–8.23 for MVR, and aOR = 9.90, 95%CI 7.22–13.58 for MVr). Patients undergoing PCI had higher incidences of stroke, acute kidney injury, infectious complications, higher hospital charges, and longer hospitalizations. Age, robotic‐assisted surgery, and chronic renal failure were independent predictors of needing early postoperative PCI.ConclusionsEarly PCI after isolated aortic or mitral valve surgery is rare but is associated with substantial in‐hospital morbidity, mortality, and cost. Further studies are needed to identify preventable causes, and optimal management strategies of this serious complication.

AbstractBackgroundMitraClip is an effective transcatheter therapy for mitral regurgitation (MR). However, MitraClip is challenging in commissural MR and the optimal therapeutic approach is unclear.MethodsWe describe a case series of six consecutive patients with severe commissural primary mitral regurgitation who underwent MitraClip insertion followed by an Amplatzer Vascular Plug (AVP) II occluder between the commissure and the MitraClip.ResultsThe procedure was successful in all patients. MR was reduced from severe to mild/trivial in 50% and moderate in 50% of cases. On 30‐day follow‐up, NYHA class had improved from III (6 patients) to I (2 patients), II (2 patients), and III (2 patients). The mean transmitral gradient was 2.5 ± 1.8 mmHg at baseline and 4.8 ± 2.6 mmHg following the procedure. One patient developed hemolysis immediately post procedure. The other five patients remained well during a median follow‐up of 20 months (range 5–50 months) with no reported device dislodgement.ConclusionsElective treatment of severe commissural MR with a laterally or medially placed MitraClip coupled with an AVP II occluder between the clip and the commissure is feasible and safe. This approach may provide a useful management alternative in selected patients.

Background: There are contrasting reports on the effectiveness of a concomitant intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in cardiogenic shock patients treated with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). This study sought to compare short-term mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock treated with VA-ECMO with and without IABP. Methods and Results: We reviewed the published literature from 2000 to 2018 for studies evaluating adult patients requiring VA-ECMO for cardiogenic shock with concomitant IABP. Studies reporting short-term mortality were included. Meta-analysis of the association of IABP with mortality was performed using Mantel-Haenszel models. Subgroup analyses were performed in patients with cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock. Twenty-two observational studies with 4653 patients were included. These studies showed high heterogeneity for the total and postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock cohorts and low heterogeneity for the AMI cohort. Short-term mortality was not significantly different in patients with and without IABP 42.1% versus 57.8%; risk ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.52–1.22; P =0.30. However, concomitant IABP with VA-ECMO was associated with lower mortality in patients with AMI (50.8% versus 62.4%; risk ratio, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.46–0.67; P <0.001). There was no difference in mortality in postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock and mixed causes for cardiogenic shock. Conclusions: In cardiogenic shock patients requiring VA-ECMO support, the use of IABP did not influence mortality in the total cohort. In patients with AMI, use of IABP with VA-ECMO was associated with 18.5% lower mortality in comparison to patients on VA-ECMO alone. Further randomized studies are warranted to corroborate these observational data.

Background: Risks and mechanisms of extension of conservatively managed spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) remain incompletely understood. Study objectives were to (1) evaluate mechanisms of early SCAD evolution through serial angiographic analysis, and (2) determine predictors of early SCAD progression. Methods and Results: Retrospective registry study of patients with SCAD managed with an initial conservative strategy (n=240). Patients who experienced significant SCAD progression within 14 days, defined as clinical worsening plus new critical coronary obstruction on repeat angiography, were compared with remaining controls. A total of 42 of 240 (17.5%) experienced significant SCAD progression after index conservative approach; 91% by day 6. Isolated intramural hematoma (IMH) at baseline (no intimal dissection) was observed more frequently in those experiencing progression compared with controls (69.1% versus 44.4%; P =0.004). Multivariable predictors of SCAD progression included lesion severity, multivessel involvement, and isolated IMH. To investigate mechanisms of SCAD evolution, all repeat angiograms ≤14 days were compared with corresponding baselines (n=82 patient angiogram pairs). Of those with isolated IMH at baseline, 20% developed intimal dissection at repeat study. IMH was associated with greater longitudinal lesion extension (11.5 versus 2.8 mm; P =0.01), worsening Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction flow (−0.8 versus 0.1; P =0.003), and a nonsignificant lower rate of angiographic improvement (20.0% versus 31.3%; P =0.16) compared with the group with baseline intimal dissection. Optical coherence tomography subgroup analysis (n=17) indicated intimo-medial thickness to be lowest at the midpoint of IMH. Conclusions: Conservatively managed SCAD carries a 1:6 hazard for serious deterioration within 6 days. The risk was higher in those with isolated IMH at baseline. IMH often precedes development of intimal dissection, which has implications for mechanisms of SCAD.