Citations

Background: Clinical outcomes of catheter-based thrombectomy (CBT) compared with surgical embolectomy (SE) in patients with massive pulmonary embolism (mPE) have not been previously examined. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the 2016-2020 National Inpatient Sample database to compare the outcomes of CBT versus SE in patients with mPE. Outcomes of interest included risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality, major bleeding, stroke, acute kidney injury (AKI), hospital length of stay (LOS), and total cost. Results: The total cohort included 5,845 patients with mPE, of which 5,490 (93.9%) underwent CBT and 215 (3.7%) underwent SE. After risk-adjustment, CBT had similar odds of in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60-3.66, p=0.37) and stroke (aOR 1.49, 95% CI 0.30-7.38, p=0.62), lower odds of major bleeding (aOR 0.28, 95% CI 0.13-0.63, p<0.01), and higher odds of AKI (aOR 2.40, 95% CI 1.11-5.17, p=0.02) compared with SE. CBT had a similar LOS (p=0.58) and total cost (p=0.23) compared with SE. Between 2016 and 2020, there was a temporal increase in the performance of CBT in patients with mPE (p trend <0.01). Conclusions: In patients with massive PE, CBT was associated with similar in-hospital mortality, stroke, LOS, and total cost, lower major bleeding, and higher AKI compared with SE. Randomized controlled trials are indicated to confirm our findings.

Introduction: The Community Practice Center (CPC) in North Philadelphia serves a community with significant socioeconomic barriers leading to inability to access care necessary for management of hypertension (HTN). Prior studies have shown the efficacy of SMBP programs in improving blood pressure (BP) control. Methods: All sequential patients presenting to the CPC with stage 2 HTN were screened for eligibility. Upon enrollment, patients received a Bluetooth-enabled BP cuff connected to a mobile health app and HTN education. Patients completed validated social and behavioral assessments including social determinants of health (SD)H) assessment via WellRx screen, depression screening (PHQ-9), and self-efficacy screening ( Self-Efficacy to Manage Chronic Disease Scale ). A behavior change plan was created using Brief Problem Solving Therapy based on the aforementioned assessments. Staff continuously monitored usage, BP, and provided individualized interventions. We conducted a cross-sectional quality improvement study using daily BP data from June 2022 - April 2023 to assess the correlation between baseline sociodemographic characteristics and Time in Target Range (TTR) through multivariable linear regression. We calculated TTR, defined as the percentage of time with systolic BP within 100-130 mmHg, through linear interpolation. Results: A total of 133 patients were enrolled in the program. We analyzed data from 78 patients with ≥3 days of readings (average 33; SD 49) and complete baseline characteristics (Table 1). Female sex and non-smoking status were associated with TTR, while diabetes, positive depression screening, positive SDOH screening, and self-efficacy were not (Table 2). Conclusions: In a socioeconomically disadvantaged population participating in a comprehensive SMBP program, depression, SDOH, and self-efficacy screening at time of enrollment did not predict TTR. Participation in a SMBP program may be valuable in these populations.

Introduction: Atherosclerotic peripheral artery disease (PAD) leads to a great burden of cardiovascular and limb-related morbidity and mortality in African Americans (AA) compared to White Americans. Medical center partnerships with churches may be an effective method to improve PAD awareness and detection in the AA community. Hypotheses: We hypothesized that implementing a medical educational program in partnership with churches would increase PAD familiarity and identify participants with undiagnosed PAD. Aims: To determine (1) PAD familiarity before and after a one-time educational intervention and (2) the prevalence of PAD in older, church-going Nashville residents. Methods: Using a community-engaged research (CER) model, we partnered with 5 churches to enroll participants ≥ 50 years of age. Participants were given a 16-point pre- and post-educational program assessment to determine baseline and post-intervention PAD knowledge. Pre- and post-intervention scores were compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) testing was used to screen for PAD (ABI < 0.9). Results: We enrolled 120 participants (mean age [SD]: 64.67 [8.33] years, 74% women, 80% AA). The prevalence of PAD was 10.83%. Pre-intervention PAD awareness was low (mean score (MS): 10.89 [4.24]) and improved significantly post-intervention in all participants (MS: 13.88 [2.76; p=2 x 10 -12 ). Participants without PAD (ABI ≥ 0.9-1.39) (MS: 10.81 [4.28] vs. 13.91 [2.79]; p= p=4 x 10 -11 ) and with indeterminate status (ABI>1.4) (MS [SD]: 10.00 [5.03] vs. 14.10 [1.73; p=0.01) showed significant improvement in PAD awareness pre vs post intervention. Participants with PAD (ABI <0.9) (MS: 12.15 [3.26] vs. 13.46 [3.26; p=0.40) did not have significant improvement in their awareness scores. Conclusions: The PRAISE study demonstrates an effective CER partnership with churches as a method to increase PAD awareness and early detection of PAD, specifically among AAs.

Introduction and Importance: While the use of vaping has increased significantly among young individuals, the effects of the various vape aerosol chemical contents on cardiac electrophysiological dynamics remain unknown. Case Presentation: A 22-year-old female with a history of energy vaping but no significant past medical history presented with cardiac arrest. Found to have no pulse, CPR was started and initial rhythm of ventricular tachycardia was obtained. Shock was administered with follow-up rhythm of ventricular fibrillation. Patient was shocked again and entered atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response. She later cardioverted into sinus tachycardia and was intubated. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed normal ejection fraction but was otherwise unremarkable. Patient was extubated on day four of hospitalization. Left heart catheterization and cardiac MRI were completely unremarkable. Toxicology, urine analysis, and troponins were all negative. Patient was discharged with metoprolol tartrate, and a life-vest with outpatient follow-ups for possible implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement in the setting of negative work up for sudden cardiac arrest. Clinical Discussion: Vaping-induced sudden cardiac arrest may be attributed to a reduction in cardiac repolarization reserve. Exposure to vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol, substances present in nearly all vape products, have been found to incite arrhythmias and disrupt cardiac conduction in animals. Acrolein,a byproduct of glycerin, has also been found to induce arrhythmias due to autonomic dysfunction. Increased prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias have also been noted with exposure to aerosols containing nicotine-free propylene glycol (PG).This likely stems from the impact of PG aerosols on the transient outward potassium current, which plays a significant role in early cardiac repolarization. Conclusion: The effects of inhaling vape aerosols remain not fully understood. While there is a perceived notion that nicotine-free aerosols may not be harmful, that remains unclear.Further studies should be conducted to evaluate for pro-arrhythmogenic effects and autonomic dysfunction from the various chemical substances present in vape aerosols.

Introduction: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a cornerstone of secondary prevention for cardiovascular disease (CVD). CR participation is associated with improvements in secondary CVD risk factor management. However, it is unclear if CR participation is associated with maintained improvements in CVD risk factor management following CR completion. Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of CR participation on CVD risk factor management at 1 and 3 years following CR completion. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 911 patients (73% male) enrolled in the CR program at Mayo Clinic from 2013 to 2020. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and CVD risk factor management were examined pre and post CR as part of clinical practice and assessed passively at 1 and 3 years following CR. Secondary prevention CVD risk factor goals included total cholesterol (<200 mg/dL), HDL cholesterol (>40 mg/dL), LDL cholesterol (<100 mg/dL), triglycerides (<150 mg/dL), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (<130 and <80 mmHg), and body mass index (BMI) (18.5-24.9 kg/m 2 ). Results: The mean age was 66±12 years and on average 33±9 CR sessions were attended. Table 1 shows the percentage (%) of patients meeting the secondary prevention CVD risk factor goals. The % of patients meeting the goals for total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, and diastolic blood pressure were higher post than pre CR. There were no changes in the % of patients meeting the goals for total cholesterol or LDL at 1 and 3 year follow up compared to post CR. At 1 and 3 year follow up, there was a lower % of patients meeting the goals for systolic and diastolic blood pressure and triglycerides (at 1 year follow up only) than post CR. No changes were present in the % of patients meeting the goals for HDL and BMI at any timepoint (all, p>0.09). Conclusions: CR participation was associated with maintained improvements in lipid management, but not in triglycerides or blood pressure control at 1 and 3 years following CR.

Introduction: Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) are at increased risk of cognitive decline. A proposed mechanism is cerebral hypoperfusion related to vascular dysfunction and impaired cerebral blood flow regulation Hypothesis: Patients with CAD will have lower cerebrovascular function than age- and sex-matched controls, assessed as reactivity to a vasodilatory carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) stimulus. Methods: Adults 40-70years old with CAD were recruited on enrollment to a cardiac rehabilitation program following a cardiac event or hospitalization. Age and sex-matched adults without known disease or cardiovascular risk factors were recruited as healthy controls. Cognitive function was assessed by the Fluid Composite of the NIH Cognition Toolbox. Following a familiarization visit, participants underwent a stepped CO 2 protocol (room air, 2% CO 2 , 4% CO 2 , 6% CO 2 ) while continuously measuring middle cerebral artery velocity (MCAv) using transcranial doppler ultrasound, mean arterial pressure (MAP), ventilation (VE), and end-tidal CO 2 . Cerebrovascular conductance (CVCi) was calculated as MCAv/MAP. Cerebrovascular reactivity was calculated as the linear regression slope of CVCi against the change in end-tidal CO 2 . The reactivity of MAP and VE (or chemosensitivity) were also calculated. Results: 19 patients with CAD and 10 healthy controls were recruited ( Table 1 ). Compared with controls, patients with CAD had a 2-fold lower cerebrovascular reactivity (p=0.003), higher MAP reactivity (p<0.05), and a trend towards higher chemosensitivity (p<0.1) ( Table 2 ). There were no group differences in resting CVCi or cognition ( Table 2 ). After adjustment for age and sex, lower cerebrovascular reactivity was associated with lower peak oxygen uptake, diabetes, and smoking history ( Table 3 ). Conclusions: Compared with healthy controls, we report that patients with CAD have significantly lower cerebrovascular function, with no differences in cognitive function.

Introduction: There is a lack of data on procedural safety and outcomes in patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease (RMVD) undergoing atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that the presence of RMVD may affect the outcomes of patients undergoing AF ablation and tested this hypothesis using data from a large, nationally representative sample of the US population. Methods: The National Readmissions Database (NRD) was analyzed from 2016-2019 to identify patients ≥ 18 years old undergoing AF ablation. Patients with RMVD were then identified by using ICD-10 CM codes. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to adjust for confounders. Results: Our cohort included 50,728 weighted AF ablation procedures, of which 3,500 (6.9%) patients had RMVD. Patients with RMVD were older at the time of catheter ablation, with a significantly higher percentage of females, less likely to have paroxysmal AF, and had a higher burden of comorbidities including congestive heart failure, renal failure, and hypertension. On multivariable analysis, the presence of RMVD was associated with higher odds of cardiovascular complications (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-1.47; p<0.01) with no difference in the odds of in-hospital mortality or other periprocedural outcomes. Also, RMVD was associated with longer length of stay (adjusted mean difference: +1.06; 95% CI: +0.67 - +1.45; p<0.01) days and lower odds of routine home discharge (aOR:0.77; 95% CI: 0.69-0.87; p<0.01). There was no difference in the odds of 30-day or 180-day all-cause, AF-related, or atrial flutter-related readmissions in patients with RMVD vs. no RMVD (Figure 1). Conclusion: In conclusion, patients with RMVD undergoing AF ablation have higher odds of periprocedural cardiovascular complications with similar odds of 30-day and 180-day all-cause and AF-related readmissions

Purpose of review Enhanced recovery after thoracic surgery (ERATS) has continued its growth in popularity over the past few years, and evidence for its utility is catching up to other specialties. This review will present and examine some of that accumulated evidence since guidelines sponsored by the Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) Society and the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS) were first published in 2019. Recent findings The ERAS/ESTS guidelines published in 2019 have not been updated, but new studies have been done and new data has been published regarding some of the individual components of the guidelines as they relate to thoracic and lung resection surgery. While there is still not a consensus on many of these issues, the volume of available evidence is becoming more robust, some of which will be incorporated into this review. Summary The continued accumulation of data and evidence for the benefits of enhanced recovery techniques in thoracic and lung resection surgery will provide the thoracic anesthesiologist with guidance on how to best care for these patients before, during, and after surgery. The data from these studies will also help to elucidate which components of ERAS protocols are the most beneficial, and which components perhaps do not provide as much benefit as previously thought.

Abstract Despite major strides in cancer research and therapy, these advances have not been equitable across race and ethnicity. Historically marginalized groups (HMG) are more likely to have inadequate preventive screening, increased delays in diagnosis, and poor representation in clinical trials. Notably, Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous people represent 30% of the population but only 9% of oncology clinical trial participants. As a result, HMGs lack equitable access to novel therapies, contradicting the principle of distributive justice, as enshrined in the Belmont report, which demands the equitable selection of subjects in research involving human subjects. The lack of clinical trial diversity also leads to low generalizability and potentially harmful medical practices. Specifically, patients with brain cancer face unique barriers to clinical trial enrollment and completion due to disease-specific neurologic and treatment-induced conditions. Collectively, the intersection of these disease-specific conditions with social determinants of health fosters a lack of diversity in clinical trials. To ameliorate this disparity in neuro-oncology clinical trial participation, we present interventions focused on improving engagement of HMGs. Proposals range from inclusive trial design, decreasing barriers to care, expanding trial eligibility, access to tumor profiling for personalized medical trials, setting reasonable metrics and goals for accrual, working with patient community stakeholders, diversifying the neuro-oncology workforce, and development of tools to overcome biases with options to incentivize equity. The diversification of participation amongst neuro-oncology clinical trials is imperative. Equitable access and inclusion of HMG patients with brain tumors will not only enhance research discoveries but will also improve patient care.