Citations

Introduction: We aim to elucidate the incidence of major complications related to right heart catheterization (RHC) and ascertain if there are unique risks with right ventricular biopsy. Methods: Diagnostic RHC procedures from 1/1/2002 through 12/31/2013 were identified using the clinical scheduling system at Mayo Clinic, Rochester. Major complications were identified through electronic records using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision billing codes. All events were recorded and adjudicated. Analysis was performed on four separate patient categories (RHC/RV angiography alone, RV biopsy alone, multiple RHC procedures, and concurrent RHC/LHC procedures) and the overall group. Primary outcomes are described in Table 1. Outcomes were measured within 7 days of the procedure, except for death (same day events) and tricuspid regurgitation (variable time endpoints). Results: There were 17,696 RHC procedures (5,556 RHC/RV angiography, 3,846 RV biopsy alone, 776 multiple RHC procedures, and 7,518 combined RHC/LHC). Patient population had a mean age of 56.5 years (15.3) and was predominantly male (58.5%). Same-day death related to RHC procedure occurred in 1 procedure or 0.6 of 10,000 RHCs. There was no significant difference in the risk of complications across RHC procedure categories except for worsening tricuspid regurgitation, which was significantly (p<0.001) more prevalent with RV biopsy (392 cases, 6.0%) than without (136 cases, 1.2%). Conclusion: The incidence of major complications related to right heart catheterization is rare. Worsening tricuspid regurgitation is the most frequently identified change with a significantly higher prevalence with biopsies.

Introduction: Right ventricle (RV) dysfunction linked with acute Pulmonary embolism (PE) is associated with significant mortality. Several studies have documented use of RV free wall strain (RVS) for assessing mortality, but RV free wall systolic (RVSRs) and early diastolic strain rate (RVSRe) have not been explored. Hypothesis: The study aims to assess the RV function in longitudinal domain of contractility using 2 D speckle tracking echocardiography and evaluate if it was able to predict all-cause mortality at 30 days. Methods: This is a single center prospective study done between November 2012 to June 2020. 293 adult patients with acute PE having echocardiogram performed within 24 hours were enrolled and baseline comorbidities were recorded. 2 D Speckle tracking echocardiography was performed offline. Multiple logistic regression analyses and ROC were performed to evaluate if RV Strain (RVS) and strain rate (systolic-SRs, early diastolic-SRe) were able to predict all-cause mortality at 30 days. Results: Mean age was 65 ± 15 years, 60.7 % males and 41% had coronary artery disease, 29% had cancer and 11% had COPD. Mean free wall (FW) RVS was -19.7±7.7%, FW RV SRs was -0.9±0.4 s -1 , FW RV SRe was 0.8±0.3 s -1 . (Figure A) All-cause mortality was present in 11 patients (3.8%) at 30 days, 17 (5.8%) at 3 months and 29 (9.9%) at 6 months. In the Univariate analysis, FW RVS and FW RVSRs were significantly associated with 30 days all-cause, but after adjusting for age, cancer, and COPD, only FW RVSRs remains significant (p=0.02) with an AUC to predict 30-day all-cause mortality of 0.73 (95% CI 0.54-0.88) a cut-off value of -0.7 had a sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 64% (Figure B) Conclusions: The study demonstrated that RV Free wall SRs measured by 2 D STE is a good prognostic indicator for 30 days all-cause mortality in patients with acute PE. This novel modality could be used for risk stratification in the setting of acute PE.

Introduction: Subclinical cardiovascular involvement in COVID-19 patients has not been well described. 2D-Speckle Tracking Echocardiography derived global longitudinal strain (GLS) and systolic and early diastolic strain rate (SRs, SRe) measurements are more sensitive than standard echocardiographic parameters to diagnose subclinical mechanical dysfunction in patients with normal Left Ventricle Ejection Fraction (LVEF). Hypothesis: Evaluate subclinical myocardial mechanical function and reserve in active COVID-19 systemic disease patients with normal LVEF vs controls and between survivors and non survivors of COVID-19 in the longitudinal domain of contractility. Methods & Results: 166 adult patients with active COVID 19 having normal LVEF were included and compared to 89 healthy volunteers. Baseline parameters were recorded. Peak GLS, SRs and SRe, were measured offline. Mean age was 62.53 ± 18.96 years and 87 (52%) were males and Mean LVEF was 62±5%. COVID-19 patients had higher GLS compared to controls (-20.93%±0.30 vs. -18.48%±0.40; p value <0.0001), SRs was similar (-0.97 s -1 ±0.10 vs. -0.98 s -1 ±0.02, p value 0.2528) and SRe was lower (0.85 s -1 ±0.0 vs. 1.05 s -1 ±0.02; p value <0.0001) respectively. After adjusting for age and sex, GLS, SRs and SRe was significant (p<0.001). GLS, SRs and SRe were similar in survivors vs. non survivors (p NS), both groups had elevated biomarkers (cardiac troponin, NT-pro BNP, CRP), but non survivors had higher levels (3.22±0.18 vs 3.62±0.28, p = 0.2371, 5.86±0.19 vs 7.15±0.27, p = 0.0004, 3.75±0.14 vs 4.31±0.21, p = 0.0422, 7.64±0.17 vs 8.26±0.25, p=0.0487 respectively) (Table 1). Conclusions: In our cohort, COVID-19 patients had better systolic reserve and abnormal relaxation compared to controls. There was no significant difference in strain (GLS) and strain rate (SRs & SRe) amongst survivors and non survivors in the longitudinal domain of contractility despite of higher inflammatory biomarkers in non-survivors.

AbstractObjectivesTo compare all‐cause mortality in patients with mitral annulus calcification (MAC) and severe mitral valve dysfunction (MVD) who received standard mitral intervention versus no intervention.BackgroundPatients with MAC often have high surgical risk due to advanced age, comorbidities, and technical challenges related to calcium. The impact of a mitral intervention on outcomes of patients with MAC and severe MVD is not well known.MethodsRetrospective review of patients with MAC by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in 2015 at a single institution. Patients with severe mitral stenosis (MS) or regurgitation (MR) were analyzed and stratified into two groups: surgical or transcatheter intervention performed <1 year after the index TTE, and no or later intervention. The primary endpoint was all‐cause mortality.ResultsOf 5502 patients with MAC, 357 had severe MVD (MS = 27%, MR = 73%). Of those, 108 underwent mitral intervention (surgery = 87; transcatheter = 21). They were younger (73 ± 11 vs. 76 ± 11 years, p < 0.01) and less frequently had cardiovascular diseases compared with no‐intervention. Frequency in women was similar (45% vs. 50%, p = 0.44). During median follow‐up of 3.2 years, the intervention group had higher estimated survival than those without intervention (80% vs. 72% at 1 year and 55% vs. 35% at 4 year, p < 0.01). Adjusted for age, eGFR, LVEF < 50%, and pulmonary hypertension, mitral intervention was an independent predictor of lower mortality (hazard ratio = 0.66, 95% confidence interval 0.43–0.99, p = 0.046).ConclusionPatients with MAC and severe MVD who underwent mitral intervention <1 year from index TTE had lower mortality than those without intervention. Mitral intervention was independently associated with lower mortality.

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease risks are significantly higher in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). There are limited data on the management and outcomes of acute myocardial infarction-cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS) in patients with HIV/AIDS> Methods: A retrospective cohort of AMI-CS during 2000-2017 from the National Inpatient Sample was evaluated for concomitant HIV and AIDS. Outcomes of interest included in-hospital mortality, use of cardiac procedures, hospital length of stay, hospitalization costs, use of do-not-resuscitate (DNR) status, and palliative care use. A sub-group analysis was performed for those with and without AIDS within the HIV cohort. Results: A total 557,974 AMI-CS admissions were included, with HIV and AIDS in 1,321 (0.2%) and 985 (0.2%), respectively. The HIV cohort was younger (54.1 vs. 69.0 years), more often male, of non-white race, uninsured, from a lower socioeconomic status, and with higher comorbidity (all p <0.001). The HIV cohort had comparable multiorgan failure (37.8% vs. 39.0%) and cardiac arrest (28.7% vs. 27.4%) ( p >0.05). The cohorts with and without HIV had comparable rates of coronary angiography (70.2% vs. 69.0%; p =0.37), but less frequent early coronary angiography (hospital day zero) (39.1% vs. 42.5%; p <0.001). The cohort with HIV had comparable in-hospital mortality compared to those without (26.9% vs. 37.4%; adjusted odds ratio 1.04 [95% confidence interval 0.90-1.21]; p =0.61). The cohort with HIV had longer duration of hospitalization (10.8±10.1 vs 9.9±11.4 days), higher hospitalization costs (158±155 vs. 143±182 x1000 USD) and was discharged home (48.6% vs 41.8%) more often as compared to those without HIV (all p <0.005). In the HIV cohort, AIDS was associated with higher in-hospital mortality (28.8% vs. 21.1%; adjusted odds ratio 4.12 [95% confidence interval 1.89-9.00]; p <0.001). Secondary outcomes were relatively comparable between those with and without AIDS. Conclusions: The cohort with HIV had longer hospital stay and higher hospitalization costs; however these were comparable between those with and without AIDS.

Introduction: Several chemotherapy agents, especially anthracyclines, are associated with the development of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. When chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy (CHIC) is associated with left bundle branch block (QRS >150 ms) and a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 35% or lower, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is often utilized to improve cardiac function and relieve symptoms. Hypothesis: CRT is associated with improvement in left ventricular strain in patients with CHIC. Methods: The study included 22 patients with CHIC and 44 age- and gender-matched controls with other types of NIC who underwent CRT implantation between 2004 and 2017. LVEF, left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS), systolic strain rate (SRS), and early diastolic strain rate (SRE) were assessed at baseline and 6-18 months after CRT. CRT response was defined as LVEF improvement by >5% after CRT. Results: CRT responders had a significant improvement in left ventricular GLS as compared to CRT non-responders in the control group, but not in the CHIC group (Table 1). The mean change in LVEF after CRT was similar between the CHIC and control groups (10 ± 10% versus 11 ± 11%, p= 0.67). The mean change in GLS after CRT was also similar between the two groups (-2.15 ± 4.32 versus -3.57 ± 4.02, p= 0.19). The proportion of patients whose LVEF increased by more than 5% was similar between the two groups (59% in the CHIC group versus 68% in the control group, p= 0.46). The mean changes in LV myocardial systolic and early diastolic strain rates were similar between the CHIC and control groups. Mean SRS decreased by 0.13 ± 0.14 in the CHIC group and by 0.34 ± 1.28 in the control group (p=0.45). Mean SRE increased by 0.06 ± 0.18 in the CHIC group and by 0.07 ± 0.22 in the control group (p=0.86). Conclusions: CRT is associated with improvement in left ventricular strain in patients with CHIC. Prospective studies are needed to further evaluate the echocardiographic strain outcomes of CRT in CHIC.

AbstractBackgroundSeveral chemotherapy agents are associated with the development of non‐ischemic cardiomyopathy (NIC). When chemotherapy‐induced cardiomyopathy (CHIC) is associated with left bundle branch block (LBBB) and a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 35% or lower, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is often utilized to improve cardiac function and relieve symptoms.ObjectiveTo determine the echocardiographic and clinical outcomes of CRT in patients with CHIC.MethodsThe study included 29 patients with CHIC (CHIC group) and 58 patients with other types of NIC (control group) who underwent CRT implantation between 2004 and 2017. The primary endpoints were changes in LVEF, left ventricular end‐systolic diameter (LVESD), and left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter (LVEDD) at 6–18 months after CRT. The secondary outcomes included changes in left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS), systolic strain rate (SRS), early diastolic strain rate (SRE), and overall survival.ResultsOut of 29 patients with CHIC, 62.1% received chemotherapy for lymphoma, 13.7% for breast cancer, and 24.1% for sarcoma. The agent implicated in 93.1% of the patients was an anthracycline. Half of the patients had LBBB. The mean baseline LVEF was 28% ± 8%. The mean baseline QRS duration was 146 ± 26 ms. Twenty‐eight patients had post‐CRT follow‐up data. CRT was associated with improvement in echocardiographic outcomes in the CHIC group and the control group. There was no difference in overall survival between the two groups (log‐rank p = .148).ConclusionCRT improves left ventricular function and reverses remodeling in patients with CHIC.

Airway epithelial homeostasis is under constant threat due to continuous exposure to the external environment, and abnormally robust sensitivity to external stimuli is critical to the development of airway diseases, including asthma. Ku is a key nonhomologous end-joining DNA repair protein with diverse cellular functions such as VDJ recombination and telomere length maintenance. Here, we show a novel function of Ku in alleviating features of allergic airway inflammation via the regulation of mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. We first determined that airway epithelial cells derived from both asthmatic lungs and murine asthma models demonstrate increased expression of 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a marker of oxidative DNA damage. Ku protein expression was dramatically reduced in the bronchial epithelium of patients with asthma as well as in human bronchial epithelial cells exposed to oxidative stress. Knockdown of Ku70 or Ku80 in naïve mice elicited mitochondrial collapse or ER stress, leading to bronchial epithelial cell apoptosis and spontaneous development of asthma-like features, including airway hyperresponsiveness, airway inflammation, and subepithelial fibrosis. These findings demonstrate an essential noncanonical role for Ku proteins in asthma pathogenesis, likely via maintenance of organelle homeostasis. This novel function of Ku proteins may also be important in other disease processes associated with organelle stress.

e14018 Background: Cancer survival rates are improving. Therefore, management of cardiovascular complications has now become a crucial clinical concern. Cardio-oncology is the sub-specialty that assists in the overall management of cancer patients in a multi-disciplinary manner. Mayo Clinic cardio-oncology practice was initiated to work closely with our oncology colleagues for early detection of cardiovascular complications in response to cancer-therapy. Majority of the patients visit our cardio-oncology clinic once, we thought it is important to study the group of patients that visited frequently due to cardiovascular complications. Aim: To evaluate the most common cardiovascular complication in patients with 2 or more visits to our cardio-oncology clinic. Methods: From 2012-2017, there were > 2500 patients visits to our clinic, with 24 patients having 2 or more visits. Data including patients’ demographics, ethnicity, chemotherapeutic medications, primary cancer type, cardiovascular risk factors, echocardiography and clinical outcomes were collected. Cardiotoxicity was defined as the decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of > 10% to a value of < 53%. Heart failure was diagnosed based on Framingham’s criteria or by a cardiologist. Results: There were 19 women (80%) and 5 men (20%). Median age at the time of diagnosis was 56 years [19-76]. The most common malignancy was breast cancer (70%), followed by B-cell lymphoma (12%) and acute myeloid leukemia (8%). Thirty percent had > 2 risk factors for cardiovascular disease. 75% of the patients had an LVEF of < 53, of these 67% developed heart failure with 58% preserved and 42% reduced ejection fraction. Those with heart failure had received a mean anthracycline dose of 305 ± 91.8mg/m2. With initiation of ACEI, B-Blockers, and diuretics (GDMT) 79% showed recovery of LVEF to ≥53 during the follow up. Conclusions: In our experience, most patients who were seen at least twice in the cardio-oncology clinic for heart failure had received a dose of > 300mg/m2 anthracycline. With GDMT over 75% of the patients recovered. Care in the cardio-oncology clinic plays a key role in optimizing these clinical outcomes.