Citations

Background: The 2021 ACC/AHA chest pain guidelines recommend risk scores such as HEAR (History, Electrocardiogram, Age, Risk Factors) for short term risk-stratification yet limited data exists integrating them with high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT). Methods: Retrospective, multicenter (n=2), observational, U.S. cohort study of consecutive ED patients without ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MI) who had at least one hs-cTnT (limit of quantitation, LoQ, <6 ng/L, and sex-specific 99 th percentiles of 10 ng/L for women and 15 ng/L for men) measurement on clinical indication in whom HEAR scores (0-8) were calculated. The composite major adverse cardiovascular (MACE) outcome was 30-day MI and death. Results: Among 1,979 ED patients undergoing hs-cTnT measurement, 1045 (53%) were classified as low-risk (0-3), 914 (46%) as intermediate-risk (4-6), and 20 (1%) as high-risk (7-8) based on HEAR scores. HEAR scores were not associated with an increased risk of 30-day MACE after adjusted analyses. Outcomes according to risk-strata based on HEAR scores and baseline hs-cTnT are shown in Table 1. Patients with quantifiable hs-cTnT (LoQ-99 th ) had an increased risk for 30-day MACE (3.4%) despite being estimated to be low-risk (0-3) per HEAR scores. Conversely, those with serial hs-cTnT<99 th percentile remained at low-risk (range 0% to 1.2%) for 30-day MACE across HEAR score strata. Conclusions: HEAR scores are of limited value in those with baseline hs-cTnT<LoQ or hs-cTnT>99 th percentile where hs-cTnT identifies very low and high-risk patients irrespective of HEAR scores. In those with baseline quantifiable hs-cTnT within the reference range (<99 th percentile), a higher risk (>1%) for 30-day MACE exists even in those with low HEAR scores. With serial hs-cTnT measurements, HEAR scores overestimate risk when hs-cTnT remains <99 th percentile.

Introduction: Differentiating type 2 myocardial infarction (T2MI) from myocardial injury can be difficult. The presence of objective evidence of acute myocardial ischemia may facilitate the identification of high-risk T2MI patients. Methods: Retrospective, observational cohort post-hoc analysis of adult emergency department patients undergoing hs-cTnT measurement. Patients with ≥1 hs-cTnT>99th percentile were adjudicated following the Fourth Universal Definition of MI. Patients were categorized as “subjective T2MI” when ischemic symptoms were the lone criteria supporting T2MI, or “objective T2MI” when there was ≥1 objective clinical feature (electrocardiography, imaging, angiography) of acute myocardial ischemia. The primary outcome was mortality. Results: A total of 857 patients were included, amongst which 55 (6.4%) were classified as subjective T2MI, 36 (4.2%) as objective T2MI, and 702 (82%) as myocardial injury. Among objective T2MIs, the most common criteria were ischemic electrocardiographic changes (n=29). Median (IQR) maximum hs-cTnT were 24 (18, 43) ng/L in myocardial injury, 34 (19, 80) in subjective T2MI, and 74 (35, 237) in objective T2MI. Those with objective T2MI had a higher risk of mortality during the index presentation (17% vs. 1.7%, p<0.0001; HR 11.1 95% CI 3.7-33.4) and at 2-year follow-up (47% vs. 31%, p=0.04; HR 1.92, 95% CI 1.17-3.14) than those with myocardial injury (Figure). Objective T2MI had a higher mortality than subjective T2MI at index presentation (17% vs. 2.0%, p=0.01) and at 1- (25% vs. 9.1%, p=0.04) and 3-months (31% vs. 13%, p=0.04) follow-up. There were no mortality differences between subjective T2MI and myocardial injury. Conclusions: In patients diagnosed with T2MI, those with objective evidence of myocardial ischemia have significantly worse outcomes compared to those with myocardial injury and subjective T2MI. A more rigorous definition of T2MI might be a more effective way to define this important entity.

Introduction: Mechanisms underlying bioprosthetic valve deterioration (BVD) are multifactorial and incompletely elucidated. Reparative circulating progenitor cells (CPCs), and conversely calcification-associated osteocalcin expressing CPCs (CPC-OCN), have been linked to native aortic valve deterioration. However, their role in BVD remains elusive. This study sought to evaluate the contribution of different subpopulations of CPCs in BVD. Methods: This prospective study enrolled 121 patients who had peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated prior to bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement (surgical 104, transcatheter 17) and had an echocardiographic follow-up ≥2 years after the procedure. Using flow cytometry, fresh PBMC were analyzed for the surface markers CD34, CD133, and osteocalcin (OCN). BVD was evaluated by hemodynamic valve deterioration (HVD) using echocardiography, which was defined as an elevated mean transprosthetic gradient ≥30mmHg and/or at least moderate intraprosthetic regurgitation. Multivariable models were constructed to evaluate the association of each subpopulation of CPCs and other clinical characteristics with HVD. Results: Sixteen patients (13.2%) developed HVD during follow-up for a median of 5.9 years. Patients with HVD showed significantly lower levels of reparative CD34 + CD133 + cells and higher levels of OCN + cells than those without HVD (CD34 + CD133 + cells: 125 [80, 210] vs 270 [130, 420], P=0.002; OCN + cells: 3060 [523, 5528] vs 670 [180, 1930], P=0.005 respectively). Decreased level of CD34 + CD133 + cells was a significant predictor of HVD. Conclusions: Circulating levels of CD34 + CD133 + cells and OCN + cells were significantly associated with the subsequent occurrence of HVD in patients undergoing bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement. CPCs might play a vital role in the mechanism, risk stratification and a potential therapeutic target for patients with bioprosthetic valve deterioration.

AbstractBackgroundObesity has been associated with an increased risk of vascular complication during percutaneous coronary intervention, but there are no data on the risk of vascular complication during percutaneous transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve insertion (TAVI).ObjectivesWe hypothesized there would be a similar increased risk associated with TAVI.MethodsWe reviewed the records of 1176 patients who received percutaneous transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve insertion from September 2015 to September 2020. All patients received 1) preoperative computed tomoraphy angiography assessment of the abdomen and pelvis to delineate iliofemoral artery anatomy, 2) ultrasound‐guided percutaneous femoral arterial access, and 3) pre‐closure of the delivery sheath femoral access site. Vascular complication was recorded based on definitions set forth by Valve Academic Research Consortium 3.ResultsThe median age of patients was 81 years, and 60% were men. The median body mass index (BMI) was 29 kg/m2 (range, 11–67), and 91 (8%) patients had a value ≥40 kg/m2 (i.e., morbid obesity). Delivery sheath size was 14‐French in 859 (73%) patients, 16‐French in 311 (26%), and 18‐French in 6 (1%). Vascular complication occurred in 53 (5%) patients, including 39 (7%) among the first half of procedures and 14 (2%) among the second half (p < 0.001). When stratified by obesity status (BMI < or ≥30 kg/m2, p < 0.001), the complication rate was 4% in nonobese patients and 5% in obese patients. Multivariable analysis showed no overall association between risk of vascular complication and BMI categories (p = 0.583)BMI continuous values (p = 0.529), or sheath size (p = 0.217).ConclusionsObesity is not associated with a vascular complication during percutaneous transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve insertion. The operation should not be denied in obese patients.

Background Mechanisms underlying bioprosthetic valve deterioration are multifactorial and incompletely elucidated. Reparative circulating progenitor cells, and conversely calcification‐associated osteocalcin expressing circulating progenitor cells, have been linked to native aortic valve deterioration. However, their role in bioprosthetic valve deterioration remains elusive. This study sought to evaluate the contribution of different subpopulations of circulating progenitor cells in bioprosthetic valve deterioration. Methods and Results This single‐center prospective study enrolled 121 patients who had peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated before bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement and had an echocardiographic follow‐up ≥2 years after the procedure. Using flow cytometry, fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed for the surface markers CD34, CD133, and osteocalcin. Bioprosthetic valve deterioration was evaluated by hemodynamic valve deterioration (HVD) using echocardiography, which was defined as an elevated mean transprosthetic gradient ≥30 mm Hg or at least moderate intraprosthetic regurgitation. Sixteen patients (13.2%) developed HVD during follow‐up for a median of 5.9 years. Patients with HVD showed significantly lower levels of reparative CD34 + CD133 + cells and higher levels of osteocalcin‐positive cells than those without HVD (CD34 + CD133 + cells: 125 [80, 210] versus 270 [130, 420], P =0.002; osteocalcin‐positive cells: 3060 [523, 5528] versus 670 [180, 1930], P =0.005 respectively). Decreased level of CD34 + CD133 + cells was a significant predictor of HVD (hazard ratio, 0.995 [95% CI, 0.990%–0.999%]). Conclusions Circulating levels of CD34 + CD133 + cells and osteocalcin‐positive cells were significantly associated with the subsequent occurrence of HVD in patients undergoing bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement. Circulating progenitor cells might play a vital role in the mechanism, risk stratification, and a potential therapeutic target for patients with bioprosthetic valve deterioration.

Abstract Aims Our goal was to evaluate a previously validated artificial intelligence–augmented electrocardiography (AI-ECG) screening tool for left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) in patients undergoing high-sensitivity-cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT). Methods and results Retrospective application of AI-ECG for LVSD in emergency department (ED) patients undergoing hs-cTnT. AI-ECG scores (0–1) for probability of LVSD (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 35%) were obtained. An AI-ECG score ≥0.256 indicates a positive screen. The primary endpoint was a composite of post-discharge major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) at two years follow-up. Among 1977 patients, 248 (13%) had a positive AI-ECG. When compared with patients with a negative AI-ECG, those with a positive AI-ECG had a higher risk for MACE [48 vs. 21%, P &lt; 0.0001, adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11–1.75]. This was largely because of a higher rate of deaths (32 vs. 14%, P &lt; 0.0001; adjusted HR 1.26, 95% 0.95–1.66) and heart failure hospitalizations (26 vs. 6.1%, P &lt; 0.001; adjusted HR 1.75, 95% CI 1.25–2.45). Together, hs-cTnT and AI-ECG resulted in the following MACE rates and adjusted HRs: hs-cTnT &lt; 99th percentile and negative AI-ECG: 116/1176 (11%; reference), hs-cTnT &lt; 99th percentile and positive AI-ECG: 28/107 (26%; adjusted HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.01–2.36), hs-cTnT &gt; 99th percentile and negative AI-ECG: 233/553 (42%; adjusted HR 2.12, 95% CI 1.66, 2.70), and hs-cTnT &gt; 99th percentile and positive AI-ECG: 91/141 (65%; adjusted HR 2.83, 95% CI 2.06, 3.87). Conclusion Among ED patients evaluated with hs-cTnT, a positive AI-ECG for LVSD identifies patients at high risk for MACE. The conjoint use of hs-cTnT and AI-ECG facilitates risk stratification.

Safe and efficient arterial access is critical for optimal patient outcomes and procedural success in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. Because of the lower risk for vascular and bleeding complications, as well as patient comfort, transradial access has become the predominant approach for diagnostic coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention. Transfemoral access, however, is still required for selected complex percutaneous coronary interventions, mechanical circulatory support, and structural heart procedures. The use of adjunctive technology and techniques such as ultrasound guidance and micropuncture can be combined with fluoroscopy and palpation to improve outcomes associated with vascular access. The importance of optimal access techniques has augmented due to increasing volume of structural heart and mechanical circulatory support procedures requiring large bore sheaths. In this document we review the contemporary techniques for femoral and radial access in the cardiac catheterization laboratory.

Importance In patients with severe aortic valve stenosis at intermediate surgical risk, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with a self-expanding supra-annular valve was noninferior to surgery for all-cause mortality or disabling stroke at 2 years. Comparisons of longer-term clinical and hemodynamic outcomes in these patients are limited. Objective To report prespecified secondary 5-year outcomes from the Symptomatic Aortic Stenosis in Intermediate Risk Subjects Who Need Aortic Valve Replacement (SURTAVI) randomized clinical trial. Design, Setting, and Participants SURTAVI is a prospective randomized, unblinded clinical trial. Randomization was stratified by investigational site and need for revascularization determined by the local heart teams. Patients with severe aortic valve stenosis deemed to be at intermediate risk of 30-day surgical mortality were enrolled at 87 centers from June 19, 2012, to June 30, 2016, in Europe and North America. Analysis took place between August and October 2021. Intervention Patients were randomized to TAVR with a self-expanding, supra-annular transcatheter or a surgical bioprosthesis. Main Outcomes and Measures The prespecified secondary end points of death or disabling stroke and other adverse events and hemodynamic findings at 5 years. An independent clinical event committee adjudicated all serious adverse events and an independent echocardiographic core laboratory evaluated all echocardiograms at 5 years. Results A total of 1660 individuals underwent an attempted TAVR (n = 864) or surgical (n = 796) procedure. The mean (SD) age was 79.8 (6.2) years, 724 (43.6%) were female, and the mean (SD) Society of Thoracic Surgery Predicted Risk of Mortality score was 4.5% (1.6%). At 5 years, the rates of death or disabling stroke were similar (TAVR, 31.3% vs surgery, 30.8%; hazard ratio, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.85-1.22]; P = .85). Transprosthetic gradients remained lower (mean [SD], 8.6 [5.5] mm Hg vs 11.2 [6.0] mm Hg; P &amp;lt; .001) and aortic valve areas were higher (mean [SD], 2.2 [0.7] cm 2 vs 1.8 [0.6] cm 2 ; P &amp;lt; .001) with TAVR vs surgery. More patients had moderate/severe paravalvular leak with TAVR than surgery (11 [3.0%] vs 2 [0.7%]; risk difference, 2.37% [95% CI, 0.17%- 4.85%]; P = .05). New pacemaker implantation rates were higher for TAVR than surgery at 5 years (289 [39.1%] vs 94 [15.1%]; hazard ratio, 3.30 [95% CI, 2.61-4.17]; log-rank P &amp;lt; .001), as were valve reintervention rates (27 [3.5%] vs 11 [1.9%]; hazard ratio, 2.21 [95% CI, 1.10-4.45]; log-rank P = .02), although between 2 and 5 years only 6 patients who underwent TAVR and 7 who underwent surgery required a reintervention. Conclusions and Relevance Among intermediate-risk patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis, major clinical outcomes at 5 years were similar for TAVR and surgery. TAVR was associated with superior hemodynamic valve performance but also with more paravalvular leak and valve reinterventions.

Background: Previous percutaneous coronary intervention risk models were focused on single outcome, such as mortality or bleeding, etc, limiting their applicability. Our objective was to develop contemporary percutaneous coronary intervention risk models that not only determine in-hospital mortality but also predict postprocedure bleeding, acute kidney injury, and stroke from a common set of variables. Methods: We built risk models using logistic regression from first percutaneous coronary intervention for any indication per patient (n=19 322, 70.6% with acute coronary syndrome) using the Mayo Clinic registry from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2016. Approval for the current study was obtained from the Mayo Foundation Institutional Review Board. Patients with missing outcomes (n=4183) and those under 18 (n=10) were removed resulting in a sample of 15 129. We built both models that included procedural and angiographic variables (Models A) and precatheterization model (Models B). Results: Death, bleeding, acute kidney injury, and stroke occurred in 247 (1.6%), 650 (4.3%), 1184 (7.8%), and 67 (0.4%), respectively. The C statistics from the test dataset for models A were 0.92, 0.70, 0.77, and 0.71 and for models B were 0.90, 0.67, 0.76, and 0.71 for in-hospital death, bleeding, acute kidney injury, and stroke, respectively. Bootstrap analysis indicated that the models were not overfit to the available dataset. The probabilities estimated from the models matched the observed data well, as indicated by the calibration curves. The models were robust across many subgroups, including women, elderly, acute coronary syndrome, cardiogenic shock, and diabetes. Conclusions: The new risk scoring models based on precatheterization variables and models including procedural and angiographic variables accurately predict in-hospital mortality, bleeding, acute kidney injury, and stroke. The ease of its application will provide useful prognostic and therapeutic information to both patients and physicians.