Citations

Introduction: Patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) may have elevated left ventricular filling pressure with exercise (LVFP-ex), despite normal LVFP at rest. We aimed to assess the diagnostic value of resting left atrial strain (LAS) in detecting elevated LVFP-ex in dyspneic patients evaluated by exercise stress echocardiography. Methods: We performed 2D-speckle tracking analysis for LAS in 669 consecutive patients (mean age 64 ± 14, men 53%) who underwent treadmill echocardiography evaluation and had LV ejection fraction ≥50%. Assessment of LVFP at rest was based on the 2016 ASE Guidelines for diastolic function assessment. We used the 2019 ESC HFA-PEEF diagnostic algorithm to define elevated LVFP-ex (early mitral inflow wave/septal early diastolic tissue velocity (E/e’) ≥ 15 after exercise) and calculate a continuous HFA-PEEF score. Results: LAS reservoir was lowest in patients with elevated LVFP at rest (n=81) and lower in those with normal resting FP who developed elevated LVFP-ex (n=108) compared to those who maintained normal LVFP-ex (29.0 ± 5.2% vs. 33.1 ± 5.0% vs.39.3 ± 4.8%, p < 0.001). In patients with normal or indeterminate LVFP at rest (n=587), LAS reservoir and pre-exercise HFA-PEEF score demonstrated an area-under-the-curve (AUC) of 0.82 and 0.7 respectively for elevated LVFP-ex. There was a 28% higher odds of developing elevated LVFP-ex per 1% decrease in LAS reservoir (odds ratio, 95%CI: 0.78, 0.74 - 0.82). In patients with the intermediate score (n=461), 123 patients developed elevation in LVFP with exercise and were classified as having HFpEF per the diagnostic algorithm. Addition of LAS reservoir improved the predictive value of HFA-PEEF score for HFpEF (AUC increased from 0.71 to 0.80, p for ΔAUC =0.01). Conclusions: LAS reservoir has a potential to identify patients at intermediate-risk for HFpEF who may develop elevated LVFP with exercise only, and therefore a promising parameter to aid in the diagnosis of HFpEF when exercise testing is not feasible.

Introduction: A low cardiac power output (CPO), measured invasively, identifies critically ill patients at increased risk of mortality. CPO can also be measured non-invasively with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), although prognostic data in critically ill patients is not available. Hypothesis: Reduced CPO measured by TTE is associated with increased hospital mortality in cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) patients. Methods: Using a database of CICU patients admitted between 2007 and 2018, we identified patients with TTE within one day (before or after) of CICU admission who had data necessary for calculation of CPO. Multivariable logistic regression determined the relationship between CPO and adjusted hospital mortality. Results: We included 5,585 patients with a mean age of 68.3±14.8 years, including 36.7% females. Admission diagnoses included acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in 57%, heart failure (HF) in 50%, cardiac arrest (CA) in 12%, and cardiogenic shock (CS) in 13%. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 47±16%, and the mean CPO was 1.0±0.4 W. CPO was inversely associated with the risk of hospital mortality (Figure A), including among patients with ACS, HF, and CS (Figure B). On multivariable analysis, lower CPO was associated with higher hospital mortality (OR 0.96 per 0.1 W, 95% CI 0.0.93-0.99, p=0.03). Hospital mortality was highest in patients with low CPO coupled with reduced LVEF, increased vasopressor requirements, or higher admission lactate. Hospital mortality was higher among patients with a CPO <0.6 W (adjusted OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.13-2.19, p = 0.007), particularly in the presence of admission lactate level >4 mmol/L (50.9%). Conclusions: Echocardiographic CPO was inversely associated with hospital mortality in CICU patients, particularly among patients with increased lactate and vasopressor requirements. Routine measurement of CPO provides important information beyond LVEF and should be considered in CICU patients.

Background: Goals of managing patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) are mitigating disease progression and ensuring safety while providing supportive care because no effective treatment exists. One strategy recommended in guidelines to meet these goals is optimizing medication management. Unfortunately, guideline implementation appears to be lacking as observed by the frequent occurrence of medication errors and adverse drug events. Objective: To address this performance gap in the care of hospitalized patients receiving nephrotoxins and renally eliminated drugs, we sought to provide a potential intervention based on theory-informed behavior change. Methods: Formative research with a qualitative analysis identifying what needs to change in patient care was completed by obtaining clinician opinion and expert opinion and reviewing the published literature. Frontline providers, including 8 physicians, 4 pharmacists, and a multiprofessional group of authors, provided insight into possible barriers to appropriate prescribing. Capability, Opportunity, Motivation and Behavior model and Theoretical Domain Framework were applied to characterize behavior change interventions and inform a potential implementation intervention for changing inappropriate prescribing behaviors. Results: Lack of knowledge about appropriate drug management in patients at risk for adverse outcomes was provided as a major barrier. Other reported barriers included a lack of: (1) tools to assist with drug management, (2) motivation to make changes, (3) routinization, and (4) an accountable clinician. Conclusions and Relevance: Assigning a designated clinician to execute a stepwise, routine care process following the checklist provided is a recommended intervention to overcome barriers. The intended impact is behavior change that reduces inappropriate prescribing.

Echocardiography (Echo), a widely available, noninvasive, and portable bedside imaging tool, is the most frequently used imaging modality in assessing cardiac anatomy and function in clinical practice. On the other hand, its operator dependability introduces variability in image acquisition, measurements, and interpretation. To reduce these variabilities, there is an increasing demand for an operator- and interpreter-independent Echo system empowered with artificial intelligence (AI), which has been incorporated into diverse areas of clinical medicine. Recent advances in AI applications in computer vision have enabled us to identify conceptual and complex imaging features with the self-learning ability of AI models and efficient parallel computing power. This has resulted in vast opportunities such as providing AI models that are robust to variations with generalizability for instantaneous image quality control, aiding in the acquisition of optimal images and diagnosis of complex diseases, and improving the clinical workflow of cardiac ultrasound. In this review, we provide a state-of-the art overview of AI-empowered Echo applications in cardiology and future trends for AI-powered Echo technology that standardize measurements, aid physicians in diagnosing cardiac diseases, optimize Echo workflow in clinics, and ultimately, reduce healthcare costs.

Abstract Background Certolizumab pegol (CZP) has been successfully used for the treatment of Crohn disease (CD); however, real-world data regarding the utility of CZP trough levels (CTLs) are lacking. We aimed to correlate CTL with CD outcomes and to determine frequency of CZP antibodies. Methods Retrospective evaluation of all CD patients on maintenance CZP with CTL obtained between 2016 and 2019. Outcomes included: median CTL, presence of anti-CZP antibodies, biochemical response (BR), clinical response (CR), radiologic response (RR), radiologic healing (RH), and mucosal healing (MH). Results Seventy-seven CD patients were included. Median CTL was 18.9 µg/mL (interquartile range, 7.6–35.4). Twenty-three patients (27.3%) had positive antibody levels, with lower median CTL compared to patients with no antibodies (0.0 vs 29.8; P &lt; 0.0001). Median CTL levels were higher in patients with vs without CR (30.4 vs 10.3 µg/mL; P = 0.0015) and RR (29.6 vs 5.8 µg/mL; P = 0.006). CZP dosing at least every 2 weeks was associated with higher odds of achieving MH (odds ratio, 3.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–9.97). CTL resulted in change in clinical management in 62.7% of cases and presence of CMZ antibodies was associated with an odds ratio of 5.83 (95% confidence interval, 1.57–21.73) of change in management. Receiver operating characteristic curve and quartile analysis suggested that CTL &gt;19 µg/mL is associated with increased rates of CR and RR. Conclusions Higher CTL was significantly associated with CR and RR. The rate of CZP antibodies was 27.3%. Our data suggest maintenance CTL of ≥19 µg/mL should be achieved in order to optimize outcomes in clinical practice.

Bifurcation lesions are common and associated with higher risks of major cardiac events and restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Treatment requires understanding of lesion characteristics, stent design and therapeutic options. We review the evidence for provisional vs 2-stent techniques. We conclude that provisional stenting is suitable for most bifurcation lesions. We detail situations where a 2-stent technique should be considered and the steps for performing each of the 2-step techniques. We review the importance of lesion preparation, intracoronary imaging, proximal optimization (POT) and kissing balloon inflation