Tan, Jian Liang

AbstractBackgroundThe impact of atrial fibrillation (AF) among patients with amyloidosis on in‐hospital outcomes is not well‐established. We aimed to examine in‐hospital outcomes among patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of AF with and without amyloidosis.Methods and ResultsWe queried the Nationwide Readmissions Database to compare the in‐hospital outcomes among AF patients with and without amyloidosis. Our study demonstrated that in‐hospital all‐cause mortality, adverse events, and 30‐day readmission were comparable between the two groups.ConclusionsPatients with AF and concurrent amyloidosis did not have worse in‐hospital outcomes than those with AF alone.

Background Despite significant cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis, real‐world data on death due to cardiovascular disease among patients with sarcoidosis is not well established. Methods and Results We queried the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Wide‐Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database for data on patients with sarcoidosis aged ≥25 years from 1999 to 2020. Diseases of the circulatory system except ischemic heart disease were listed as the underlying cause of death, and sarcoidosis was stated as a contributing cause of death. We calculated age‐adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) per 1 million individuals and determined the trends over time by estimating the annual percentage change using the Joinpoint Regression Program. Subgroup analyses were performed on the basis of demographic and geographic factors. In the 22‐year study period, 3301 cardiovascular deaths with comorbid sarcoidosis were identified. The AAMR from cardiovascular deaths with comorbid sarcoidosis increased from 0.53 (95% CI, 0.43–0.65) per 1 million individuals in 1999 to 0.87 (95% CI, 0.75–0.98) per 1 million individuals in 2020. Overall, women recorded a higher AAMR compared with men (0.77 [95% CI, 0.74–0.81] versus 0.58 [95% CI, 0.55–0.62]). People with Black ancestry had higher AAMR than people with White ancestry (3.23 [95% CI, 3.07–3.39] versus 0.39 [95% CI, 0.37–0.41]). A higher percentage of death was seen in the age groups of 55 to 64 years in men (23.11%) and women (21.81%), respectively. In terms of US census regions, the South region has the highest AAMR from cardiovascular deaths with comorbid sarcoidosis compared with other regions (0.78 [95% CI, 0.74–0.82]). Conclusions The increase of AAMR from cardiovascular deaths with comorbid sarcoidosis and higher cardiovascular mortality rates among adults aged 55 to 64 years highlight the importance of early screening for cardiovascular diseases among patients with sarcoidosis.

Background: The outcomes of leadless pacemaker (LP) implantation after transvenous lead removal (TLR) of infected cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) are not well-established. Objective: This study sought to describe the outcomes of LP implantation following TLR of infected CIED. Method: We conducted a literature search using PubMed and Embase for a combination of term including leadless pacemaker implantation, transvenous lead extraction, transvenous lead removal , transvenous lead explant , infected cardiac implantable electronic device . The inclusion criterion was LP implantation after TLR of infected CIED. The exclusion criterion was TLR for non-infectious reason. Study end-points were procedural complications and LP infection. Result: Of 132 publications reviewed, 13 studies with a total of 253 patients (74 ± 14 years of age, 69% males) were included. Amongst, 56.8% had systemic CIED infection and 43.2% had isolated pocket infection. Staphylococcus Aureus was the most common causative organism in 33% of the reported patients. Of 253 patients included, 105 patients (41.5%) underwent concomitant LP implantation during TLR procedure, and 36 patients (14.2%) had transvenous pacing as a bridge from TLR to LP implantation. During the LP implantation, 1 patient (0.4%) had an intra-procedural complication requiring sternotomy. Post-LP implantation, 2 patients (0.8%) developed groin hematoma, 2 patients (0.8%) developed femoral arteriovenous fistula, and 1 patient (0.4%) developed pericardial effusion requiring pericardiocentesis. During a mean follow-up of 11.3 ±10.6 months, 3 patients (1.2%) developed pacemaker syndrome, 1 patient (0.4%) developed acute on chronic heart failure exacerbation, and only 1 patient (0.4%) developed LP-related infection requiring LP retrieval. Conclusion: This study suggests that LP implant is feasible and safe post-removal of infected CIED with cumulative adverse events at 4% and a reinfection rate of 0.4%.

Background: While cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis could be significant, data assessing geographical disparities in cardiovascular deaths (CVDs) among patients with sarcoidosis are limited. Objective: This study aims to determine the mortality attributed to CVDs with comorbid sarcoidosis in different geographic locations in the United States. Methods: We queried the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database and performed serial cross-sectional analyses of national death certificate data for CVDs with comorbid sarcoidosis among patients aged 25 and above. Diseases of the circulatory system (ICD-10 I00-I99) were listed as the underlying cause of death, and sarcoidosis (ICD-10 D86) as contributing cause of death. We calculated age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 1,000,000 individuals and compared the mortality among census regions and states. Results: In the 22-year study period, 5,630 CVDs with comorbid sarcoidosis in the United States were identified between 1999 and 2020. The South region had the highest AAMRs for CVDs with comorbid sarcoidosis (1.32 [95% CI, 1.26-1.37] per 1,000,000 individuals), followed by Northeast region (1.25 [95% CI, 1.18-1.32] per 1,000,000 individuals), Midwest region (1.24 [95% CI, 1.17-1.30] per 1,000,000 individuals), and West Region (0.92 [95% CI, 0.86-0.98] per 1,000,000 individuals). The AAMRs for CVDs with comorbid sarcoidosis were between 0.57 [95% CI, 0.43-0.75] per 1,000,000 individuals and 1.96 [95% CI, 1.73-2.19] per 1,000,000 individuals throughout the States, except Maryland and the District of Columbia, which recorded 2.79 [95% CI, 2.44-3.14] and 6.01 [95% CI, 4.44-7.94], respectively. Conclusion: The South region, particularly Maryland recorded the highest CVDs in sarcoidosis. Geographical disparities observed in CVDs with comorbid sarcoidosis highlight the need to improve public health measures at state-level.

Background: Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disease that could result in debilitating cardiac manifestations. Despites, data on the cardiovascular deaths (CVDs) among patients with sarcoidosis are limited. Objective: This study sought to determine the longitudinal trends in mortality attributed to CVDs with comorbid sarcoidosis by age, sex, and race in the United States. Methods: We queried the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database and performed serial cross-sectional analyses of national death certificate data for CVDs with comorbid sarcoidosis among patients aged 25 and above. Diseases of the circulatory system (ICD-10 I00-I99) were listed as the underlying cause of death, and sarcoidosis (ICD-10 D86) as contributing cause of death. We calculated age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 1,000,000 individuals and determined the trends over time by estimating the annual percent change using the Joinpoint Regression Program. Results: In the 22-year study period, 5,630 CVDs with comorbid sarcoidosis in the United States were identified between 1999 and 2020. The AAMRs from CVDs with comorbid sarcoidosis increased from 1.03 (95% CI, 0.88-1.17) in 1999 to 1.38 (95% CI, 1.24-1.52) in 2020. Overall, women recorded a higher AAMRs compared to men (1.25 [95% CI, 1.21-1.30] vs. 1.10 [95% CI, 1.06-1.15]). Black individuals had higher AAMRs than White individuals (5.17 [95% CI, 4.97-5.37] vs. 0.68 [95% CI, 0.66-0.71]). A higher percentage of CVDs with comorbid sarcoidosis was seen in the age groups of 55-64 in men (24.68%) and 65-74 in women (22.62%). Conclusion: The CVDs in sarcoidosis have increased over the last two decades, with disparities seen in women and Black individuals. Most CVDs with comorbid sarcoidosis occurred at a younger age compared to general population. This highlights the importance of early screening for cardiovascular diseases in sarcoidosis individuals.

Background: Catheter ablation for ventricular tachycardia (VT) has been increasingly performed. While it is estimated that 42% of adults in the United States are obese, the impact of obesity on VT ablation procedures remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the procedural outcomes and 30-day readmission among non-obese and obese patients who underwent catheter ablation of VT. Method: Using the Nationwide Readmissions Database, our study included patients aged 18 years or older who underwent catheter ablation for VT between 2017 and 2020. The study cohort was stratified into non-obese (BMI < 30kg/m 2 ) and obese (BMI ≥ 30kg/m 2 ). The in-hospital procedural outcome and 30-day readmission were analyzed between these groups. Results: Our study included a total of 835 obese patients (19.7%) and 3393 non-obese patients (80.3%). Obese group had a higher rate of prolonged length of stay (>7 days) (37.6% vs 31.2%, p<0.01) and a higher cost of hospitalization ($39 983 vs $37 015, p<0.01). Overall, there were no significant differences in early mortality (4.5% vs 3.8%, p=0.45). Apart from increased vascular complications in the obese group (1.8% vs 0.9%, p=0.03), there were no significant differences in other procedural complications between both groups. There were no significant differences in 30-day readmission rates between obese and non-obese groups (15.5% vs 14.1%, p=0.38). Additional analysis performed in the obese group revealed a non-significant decreasing trend in early mortality rate post-procedurally (5.4% to 4.8%, P trend = 0.66). On multivariable analysis, heart failure was associated with a higher risk of 30-day readmission in obese patients (OR: 2.00; 95% CI: 1.01-3.99; p=0.05). Conclusion: Our study suggests that catheter ablation for VT can be performed relatively safely in obese patients without significant differences in 30-day mortality and readmission outcomes. Patients should not be excluded from VT ablation on the basis of obesity.

AbstractBackgroundReal‐world clinical data on the adverse events related to the use of cryoballoon catheter for pulmonary vein isolation remains limited.ObjectiveTo report and describe the adverse events related to the use of Artic Front cryoballoon catheters (Arctic Front, Arctic Front Advance, and Arctic Front Advance Pro) reported in the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Manufacturers and User Defined Experience (MAUDE) database.MethodsWe reviewed all the adverse events reported to the FDA MAUDE database over a 10.7‐year study period from January 01, 2011 to September 31, 2021. All events were independently reviewed by two physicians.ResultsDuring the study period, a total of 320 procedural‐related adverse events reported in the MAUDE database were identified. The most common adverse event was transient or persistent phrenic nerve palsy (PNP), accounting for 48% of all events. This was followed by cardiac perforation (15%), pulmonary vein stenosis (8%), transient ischemic attack or stroke (6%), vascular injury (4%), transient or persistent ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (3%), hemoptysis (2%), pericarditis (2%), and esophageal ulcer or fistula (1%). There were six reported intra‐procedural death events as a result of cardiac perforation.ConclusionThe two most common procedural adverse events associated with cryoballoon ablation were PNP and cardiac perforation. All cases of procedural mortality were due to cardiac perforation.

AbstractBackgroundEvidence on the impact of obesity on catheter ablation for ventricular tachycardia (VT) is scarce.Method and ResultsWe queried the Nationwide Readmissions Database to determine the hospital outcomes and procedural complications of VT ablation among the obese and nonobese populations. Obesity was associated with a more prolonged length of stay (p < .01), higher cost of hospitalization (p < .01), and higher rates of pericardial effusion or hemopericardium (p = .05) and vascular complications (p = .05). There was no significant difference in early mortality, 30‐day readmissions, and other procedural complications.ConclusionVT ablation could be performed relatively safely among patients with obesity.