Kassi, Mahwash

Achieving optimal unloading in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) is associated with improved outcomes but remains unattainable in some cases. We retrospectively reviewed 33 patients with a HeartMate 3 LVAD who underwent speed optimization with concomitant echocardiography and right heart catheterization for inadequate left ventricular (LV) unloading between January 2016 and December 2023. Patients were stratified based on left ventricular transmural pressure (LVTMP) into two groups: LVTMP ⩽7 mmHg and LVTMP >7 mmHg using a median split approach. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) decreased in both groups with increased LVAD speed; however, the mean PCWP change per 100 rpm was significantly smaller in patients with LVTMP ⩽7 mmHg (−0.50 vs −0.99 mmHg per 100 rpm, p = 0.003). Comparative analysis demonstrated LVTMP’s superiority over established RV markers, with the strongest interaction effect for predicting speed optimization response. Changes in cardiac output were similar between the two groups. In univariate analysis, multiple hemodynamic parameters were significantly associated with reduced LVTMP, including right atrial pressure (OR = 1.27, p = 0.036), TPG (OR = 1.25, p = 0.037), DPG (OR = 1.69, p = 0.012), and PAPi (OR = 0.35, p = 0.019).LVTMP, as a surrogate for true LV preload, particularly in the context of RV failure, may offer predictive value for the success or failure of LV unloading with LVAD speed optimization.

Background Despite improvements in the management and prevention of stroke, increasing hospitalizations for stroke and stagnant mortality rates have been described in young adults. However, there is a paucity of contemporary national mortality estimates in young adults. Methods and Results Trends in mortality related to stroke in young adults (aged 25–64 years) were assessed using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide‐Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database. Age‐adjusted mortality rates per 100 000 people with associated annual percentage change were calculated. Joinpoint regression was used to assess the trends in the overall sample and different demographic (sex, race and ethnicity, and age) and geographical (state, urban‐rural, and regional) subgroups. Between 1999 and 2019, a total of 566 916 stroke‐related deaths occurred among young adults. After the initial decline in mortality in the overall population, age‐adjusted mortality rate increased from 2013 to 2019 with an associated annual percentage change of 1.5 (95% CI, 1.1–2.0). Mortality rates were higher in men versus women and in non‐Hispanic Black people versus individuals of other races and ethnicities. Non‐Hispanic American Indian or Alaskan Native people had a marked increase in stroke‐related mortality (annual percentage change 2010–2019: 3.3). Furthermore, rural (nonmetropolitan) counties experienced the greatest increase in mortality (annual percentage change 2012–2019: 3.1) compared with urban (metropolitan) counties. Conclusions Following the initial decline in stroke‐related mortality, young adults have experienced increasing mortality rates from 2013 to 2019, with considerable differences across demographic groups and regions.

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Sarcoidosis is a multi-systemic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. Cardiac Sarcoidosis (CS) has been reported in as much as 25% of patients with systemic involvement. 18Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) Positron Emission Tomography (PET) has a high diagnostic sensitivity/specificity in the diagnosis of CS. Purpose The aim of this review is to summarize evidence on the prognostic role of FDG PET. Methods Studies were identified by searching MEDLINE from inception to October 2020. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms for sarcoidosis; cardiac and FDG PET imaging were used. Studies of any design assessing the prognostic role of FDG PET in patients with either suspected or confirmed cardiac sarcoidosis imaging done at baseline were included. Abnormal PET was defined as abnormal metabolism (presence of focal or focal-on-diffuse uptake of FDG) OR abnormal metabolism and a perfusion defect. Studies reporting any outcome measure were included. Pooled risk ratio for the composite outcome of MACE was done. Results A total of 6 studies were selected for final inclusion (515 patients, 53.4% women, 19.8% racial minorities.) Studies were institution based, retrospective in design and enrolled consecutive patients. All were observational in nature and published in English. All studies used a qualitative assessment of PET scans (abnormal FDG uptake with or without abnormal perfusion). Two studies assessed quantitative metrics (summed stress score in segments with abnormal FDG uptake, standardized uptake value and cardiac metabolic activity.) All studies reported Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE) as a composite outcome. After a mean follow up ranging from 1.4 to 4.1 years, there were a total of 105 MACE. All studies included death (either all-cause death or sudden cardiac death) and ventricular arrhythmia (ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation) as a component of MACE. Four of the six studies adjusted for several characteristics in their analysis. All four studies used Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF). However, other adjustment variables were not consistent across studies. Five studies found a positive prognostic association with the primary outcome, two of which assessing right ventricular uptake. Conclusion Although available evidence indicates FDG PET can be used in the risk stratification of patients with CS, our findings show further studies are needed to quantify the effect in this patient group.