Citations

Objectives: Atrial fibrillation is frequently seen in sepsis-related hospitalizations. However, large-scale contemporary data from the United States comparing outcomes among sepsis-related hospitalizations with versus without atrial fibrillation are limited. The aim of our study was to assess the frequency of atrial fibrillation and its impact on outcomes of sepsis-related hospitalizations. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: The National Inpatient Sample databases (2010–2014). Patients: Primary discharge diagnosis of sepsis with and without atrial fibrillation were identified using prior validated International Classification of Diseases, 9th Edition, Clinical Modification codes. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: Overall, 5,808,166 hospitalizations with the primary diagnosis of sepsis, of which 19.4% (1,126,433) were associated with atrial fibrillation. The sepsis-atrial fibrillation cohort consisted of older (median [interquartile range] age of 79 yr [70–86 yr] vs 67 yr [53–79 yr]; p < 0.001) white (80.9% vs 68.8%; p < 0.001) male (51.1% vs 47.5%; p < 0.001) patients with an extended length of stay (median [interquartile range] 6 d [4–11 d] vs 5 d [3–9 d]; p < 0.001) and higher hospitalization charges (median [interquartile range] $44,765 [$23,234–$88,657] vs $35,737 [$18,767–$72,220]; p < 0.001) as compared with the nonatrial fibrillation cohort. The all-cause mortality rate in the sepsis-atrial fibrillation cohort was significantly higher (18.4% and 11.9%; p = 0.001) as compared with those without atrial fibrillation. Although all-cause mortality (20.4% vs 16.6%) and length of stay (median [interquartile range] 7 d [4–11 d] vs 6 d [4–10 d]) decreased between 2010 and 2014, hospitalization charges increased (median [interquartile range] $41,783 [$21,430–$84,465] vs $46,251 [$24,157–$89,995]) in the sepsis-atrial fibrillation cohort. The greatest predictors of mortality in the atrial fibrillation-sepsis cohort were African American race, female gender, advanced age, and the presence of medical comorbidities. Conclusions: The presence of atrial fibrillation among sepsis-related hospitalizations is a marker of poor prognosis and increased mortality. Although we observed rising trends in sepsis and sepsis-atrial fibrillation–related hospitalizations during the study period, the rate and odds of mortality progressively decreased.

AbstractBackgroundPulseless ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) is the initial rhythm in a third of in‐hospital cardiac arrest patients. Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) device use remains poorly understood in this population.MethodsWe conducted an observational analysis of temporal trends in the utilization of MCS in VT/VF IHCA between January 2008 and December 2014 utilizing the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. Using multivariable analysis, we assessed factors associated with MCS use and survival to discharge.ResultsAmong 151,628 hospitalizations with VT/VF IHCA, 14,981 (9.9%) received MCS. Intra‐aortic balloon pump (IABP) was the most commonly used MCS (9.1%). From 2008 to 2014, there was significant increase in the utilization of MCS (8.7–11%; ptrend < 0.0001). On multivariable analysis, there was 12‐fold increase and three‐fold increase in the utilization of PVAD and ECMO respectively; however, there was no significant change in the use of IABP. Over the seven‐year sample period, there was significant increase in the overall survival to hospital discharge (35.4–43.5%; ptrend < 0.0001). Survival to hospital discharge increased in both MCS and non‐MCS groups.ConclusionThere was significant increase in utilization of MCS after VT/VF IHCA during the study period. IABP was the most commonly utilized MCS. The survival to hospital discharge increased in the overall study population including both MCS and non‐MCS groups. Future studies are needed to identify patient population most likely to benefit from the use of MCS after VT/VF IHCA.

AbstractBackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) among patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Our primary aim was to evaluate patient‐centered outcomes and surrogate outcomes following catheter ablation (CA) of AF among patients with HFrEF compared to standard medical therapy with or without device therapy (atrioventricular node ablation and cardiac resynchronization therapy).MethodsA systematic literature review was performed limiting our searches to randomized control trials reporting outcomes of CA compared to standard medical therapy with or without device therapy were included. Patient‐centered outcomes were relative reduction in all‐cause mortality, heart failure readmissions, and recurrence of AF. Surrogate outcomes of interest were change in ejection fraction, change in peak oxygen consumption, reduction in brain natriuretic peptide levels, change in 6‐minute walk distance, and change in Minnesota living with heart failure score.ResultsSeven randomized control trials (Patient n = 721) met our inclusion criteria. All trials used radiofrequency energy for CA of AF. CA for AF was associated with significantly lower all‐cause mortality (Risk ratio [RR] = 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.35‐0.76, P = 0.001, I2 = 0%), lower rate of heart failure readmission (RR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.46‐0.74, P < 0.001, I2 = 0%) and lower rate of AF recurrence (RR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.22‐0.50, P < 0.001, I2 = 68%) as compared to standard medical therapy. Surrogate outcomes showed a similar benefit favoring CA.Conclusion and RelevanceCatheter ablation for AF in HFrEF is associated with improvement in patient‐centered outcomes and surrogate outcomes when compared to standard medical therapy with or without device therapy.

Background Patients with atrial fibrillation-flutter (AF) admitted on the weekends were initially reported to have poor outcomes. The primary purpose of this study is to re-evaluate the outcomes for weekend versus weekday AF hospitalization using the 2014 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). Methods Included hospitalizations were aged above 18 years. The hospitalizations with AF were identified using the international classification of diseases 9 (ICD-9) codes (427.31, 427.32). In-hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), other co-morbidities, cardioversion procedures, and time to cardioversion were recorded. All analysis was performed using SAS 9.4 statistical software (Cary, North Carolina). Results A total of 453,505 hospitalizations with atrial fibrillation and flutter as primary discharge diagnosis were identified. Among the total hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of AF, 20.3% were admitted on the weekend. Among the weekend hospitalizations, 0.19% died in hospital compared to 0.74% among those admitted during the week. After adjusting for patient characteristics, hospital characteristics and disease severity, the adjusted odds for in-hospital mortality were not significantly different for weekend vs. weekday hospitalizations (OR = 0.91, 95% CI [0.77–1.11]; p = 0.33). The weekend admissions were associated with significantly lower odds of cardioversion procedures (OR = 0.72, 95% CI [0.69–0.76], P < 0.0001), lower cost of hospitalization (USD 8265.8 on weekends vs. USD 8966.5 on the weekdays, P < 0.001), slightly lower rate of anticoagulation (17.09% on the weekends vs. 18.73% on the weekdays. P < 0.0001), and slightly increased time to cardioversion (1.94 days on the weekend vs. 1.73 days on weekdays, P < 0.0005). The mean length of hospital stay (LOS) was statistically not different in both groups: (3.49 days ± 3.70 (SD) in the weekend group vs. 3.47 days ± 3.50 (SD) in the weekday group, P = 0.42) Discussion The weekend AF hospitalizations did not have a clinically significant difference in mortality and LOS compared to those admitted on a weekday. However, the use of cardioversion procedures and cost of hospitalization was significantly lower on the weekends.

AbstractCardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) are utilized in increasing number and in heterogeneous populations. With excellent training, checklists, and “muscle memory,” the implantation procedure is generally very safe and efficient. Nevertheless, significant and potentially life‐threatening complications can occur.

Background There are limited data on the role of temporary mechanical circulatory support ( MCS ) devices for cardiogenic shock before left ventricular assist device ( LVAD ) surgery. This study sought to evaluate the trends of use and outcomes of MCS in cardiogenic shock before LVAD surgery. Methods and Results This was a retrospective cohort study from 2005 to 2014 using the National Inpatient Sample (20% stratified sample of US hospitals). This study identified admissions undergoing LVAD surgery with preoperative cardiogenic shock. Admissions for other cardiac surgery and heart transplant were excluded. Temporary MCS was identified using administrative codes. The primary outcome was hospital mortality and secondary outcomes were hospital costs and lengths of stay in admissions with and without MCS use. In this 10‐year period, 9753 admissions were identified with 40.6% requiring pre‐ LVAD MCS . There was a temporal increase in the frequency of cardiogenic shock associated with an increase in non–intra‐aortic balloon pump MCS devices. The cohort receiving MCS had greater in‐hospital myocardial infarction, ventricular arrhythmias, and use of coronary angiography. On multivariable analysis, older age, myocardial infarction, and need for MCS devices were independently predictive of higher in‐hospital mortality. In 696 propensity‐matched pairs, use of MCS was predictive of higher in‐hospital mortality (odds ratio 1.4 [95% confidence interval 1.1–1.6]; P =0.02) and higher hospital costs, but similar lengths of stay. Conclusions In patients with cardiogenic shock bridged to LVAD therapy, there was a steady increase in preoperative MCS use. Use of MCS identified patients at higher risk for in‐hospital mortality and greater resource utilization.

Background Patients with tetralogy of Fallot ( TOF ) remain at risk for cardiovascular events despite successful repair. Some of the current risk stratification tools require advanced imaging and invasive studies, and hence are difficult to apply to routine patient care. A recent study showed that QRS fragmentation ( QRS ‐f) is predictive of mortality in patients with TOF. The current study aims to validate this result by assessing whether severity of QRS ‐f could predict all‐cause mortality in a different TOF population. Methods and Results The authors reviewed the Mayo Adult Congenital Heart Disease database for patients with TOF who had ECG from 1990–2017. QRS ‐f was defined as notches in QRS complex in ≥2 contiguous leads on ECG , not related to bundle branch block, and classified as none, mild (≤3 leads), moderate (4 leads), or severe (≥5 leads). Of 465 patients (age 37±14 years) in the study, QRS ‐f was present in 161 (35%): mild (n=43, 9%), moderate (n=77, 17%), and severe (n=41, 9%). There were 55 deaths (12%) during 13.6±8.2 years of follow‐up. Severity of QRS ‐f remained an independent predictor of all‐cause mortality after adjustment for other ECG parameters, patient demographics, and atrial and ventricular arrhythmia (hazard ratio, 1.74 per class; 95% confidence interval, 1.08–2.93 [ P =0.041]). Conclusions The presence of severe QRS ‐f may be used as complementary data to the usual clinical indices to determine whether interventions such as invasive electrophysiology study should be performed in patients with nonsustained ventricular tachycardia or to proceed with pulmonary valve replacement in patients with severe pulmonary regurgitation with ventricular volumes below the guideline‐directed threshold for intervention.

AbstractIntroductionCatheter ablation (CA) has emerged as the preferred modality of treatment for many cardiac arrhythmias. Anatomical sites of ablation are often located in close proximity to coronary arteries. However, the incidence of CA‐related coronary injury has not been well studied. We sought to systematically evaluate all cases of CA‐related coronary injuries.Methods and ResultsA PubMed search was conducted from inception until May 1, 2017 using the keywords “coronary artery” and “ablation.” We identified 2817 published articles of which 43 articles met our inclusion criteria representing 61 cases of coronary artery injury attributed to CA procedures from 1992 to 2017. Posteroseptal accessory pathway ablation was associated with the highest incidence of coronary injury (35.6% of cases), followed by cavotricuspid isthmus‐dependent flutter (19.3%). The right coronary artery was the site of injury in over two‐thirds of all reported cases. Coronary injury was detected intraprocedurally in about half of the cases (43.1%), whereas it was a delayed presentation in the other half. Coronary intervention was performed in a third of all cases (32.7%). There were a total of three deaths attributed to coronary artery injury.ConclusionsMost (91.8%) coronary injuries are a result of anatomic proximity to the site of ablation. Awareness of the relation between coronary artery course and anatomical site of ablation could prevent myocardial damage and improve procedural safety.

Background There are limited data on the presentation of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy ( TTC ) in severe sepsis. Methods and Results This was a retrospective cohort study using the National Inpatient Sample database (2007–2013) of all adults with severe sepsis. TTC was identified in patients with severe sepsis using previously validated administrative codes. The primary outcome was in‐hospital mortality, and secondary outcomes included resource utilization and discharge disposition. Regression analysis was performed for the entire cohort and a propensity‐matched sample. An exploratory analysis was performed for predictors of TTC incidence and mortality in TTC . During this 7‐year period, in 7.1‐million hospitalizations for severe sepsis, TTC was diagnosed in 10 746 (0.15%) admissions. TTC was noted more commonly in whites, females, and among 65‐ to 79‐year‐old individuals. TTC was independently associated with lower in‐hospital mortality in severe sepsis (odds ratio, 0.58; 95% confidence interval, 0.51–0.65). This association was more prominent in females (odds ratio, 0.51; 95% confidence interval, 0.44–0.59]) compared with males (odds ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.55–0.85]). Presentation in later years of the study period, middle‐age, female sex, and white race were independent predictors for the diagnosis of TTC . Age ≥80 years, black race, greater comorbidity, and multiorgan dysfunction were independently associated with higher in‐hospital mortality among TTC admissions. Conclusions TTC is observed with increasing frequency in severe sepsis and was associated with a significantly lower in‐hospital mortality compared with patients without TTC . Presentation in later years of the study period, middle age, female sex, and white race were independent predictors for the diagnosis of TTC in severe sepsis.