Search

Inotropic support is widely used in the management of cardiogenic shock (CS). Existing data on the incidence and significance of arrhythmic events in patients with CS on inotropic support is at high risk of bias.

More than 3 decades ago, Wyngaarden and Gill first warned of the challenges facing physician-scientists in their seminal papers “The Clinical Investigator as an Endangered Species” and “The End of the Physician-Scientist.” In the years since these papers were published, there has been expansion of stage I-II preclinical research focusing on discovery and exploratory studies. Expansion has often come at the expense of physician-scientists whose traditional role has been to bridge the gap between early preclinical research (stage I-II) and clinical trials (stage IV). Consequently, a paradigm shift has occurred, and increasing pressure has been placed on physician-scientists to choose between clinical practice and fundamental research. This shift is particularly concerning in the field of cardiovascular medicine, where the ubiquitous nature and clinical significance of cardiovascular disease make the role of the translational scientist essential. The challenges facing academic cardiologists have then further been amplified by the necessity not only to maintain clinical competence but also to maintain competence in highly technical fields with rapidly advancing technology. Potential solutions to these problems include increasing support from postgraduate training programs, increased participation of trainees in physician-scientist development programs, and recognition of the pivotal role physician-scientists play in translational research by funding agencies. Although the physician-scientist remains an endangered species, multifaceted solutions with a focus on collaboration among institutions, training programs, and funding agencies have the potential to maximize efficiency in biomedical research and successfully translate scientific discoveries from bench to bedside.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) was initially developed to treat aortic stenosis in patients with high risk for surgical intervention. With great initial adoption of the technology and improvements in device design and procedural success TAVI is increasingly being performed in broader populations for diverse indications. This paper is a concise review of the evolving and expanding use of TAVI in the current era.

In patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), presentation during off-hours may have an impact on clinical outcomes. Research in this area is not only scarce, but also conflicting. This study investigated the relationship between off-hours presentation and in-hospital clinical outcomes in patients presenting with STEMI.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is the definitive therapy for high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of non-transfemoral access on clinical outcomes in TAVI.

Current guidelines suggest that patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) receive dual-antiplatelet therapy. There are limited data on the pharmacodynamics of P2Y12 inhibitors in patients with cardiac arrest and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) undergoing PCI and therapeutic hypothermia (TH). Accordingly, we compared inhibition of platelet reactivity in patients undergoing TH receiving clopidogrel or ticagrelor. Notably, clopidogrel was ineffective in lowering platelet reactivity, with ticagrelor providing a more rapid (within 4 hours) and sustained reduction (6 days) in platelet reactivity. Pending outcome-based studies, ticagrelor should be used preferentially in patients who have ROSC and are undergoing PCI and TH.

Percutaneous coronary intervention is the most prevalent method for coronary artery revascularization. Initial interventions using balloon angioplasty had limited efficacy because coronary dissections, arterial recoil, and neointimal formation led to high rates of abrupt vessel closure and clinical restenosis. With the introduction of coronary stents, vascular dissections were stabilized and arterial recoil was eliminated, but neointimal accumulation remained problematic, resulting in the development of in-stent restenosis (ISR) in 20%-30% of cases. Drug-eluting stents (DESs) were developed to release antiproliferative agents at the site of arterial injury to attenuate neointimal formation. Although DESs have incrementally improved outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention, delayed re-endothelialization and stent thrombosis remain important challenges. Herein we review the pathophysiology of ISR, stent thrombosis, and briefly summarize the clinical evidence behind first- and second-generation DESs. Moreover, we discuss advancements in our understanding of the pathogenesis of ISR and potential novel therapeutic strategies to improve clinical outcomes.

Salmonellahas the ability to adhere to damaged endothelium, predisposing individuals to complications rarely seen with other Gram-negative organisms. Potential complications include endocarditis, infected atheroma or aneurysms, myocarditis and pericarditis. The present report describes two cases of Salmonella enteritidis-associated cardiovascular disease. Patient 1 is a young adult who presented with myopericarditis complicated by recurrent cardiac arrests following return from a tropical climate. This patient was successfully treated with a 14-day course of ciprofloxacin. Patient 2 is an elderly man who developed a pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta complicating S enteritidisbacteremia, and died of this complication. Recognition of potential complications of salmonellosis, especially in individuals with risk factors, is paramount in correctly diagnosing and managing these patients.

Patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) suffer high rates of in-hospital mortality, with little evidence guiding management. The impact of valvular heart disease in patients with CS remains unclear. We therefore conducted a post hoc analysis of the randomized Dobutamine Compared to Milrinone (DOREMI) trial to determine the impact of valvular disease on outcomes in patients with CS.

While systemic embolic events occur with relative frequency in infective endocarditis (IE), coronary embolization remains an uncommon cause of ST elevation myocardial infarction. Herein we report a case of ventricular fibrillation and anterior ST elevation myocardial infarction occurring in a patient initially presenting with septic shock. Angiography proved diagnostic for IE of a native bicuspid aortic valve complicated by root abscess and left anterior descending artery occlusion. Histologic examination of the embolectomy specimen from the left anterior descending artery confirmed the presence of thrombus and bacteria. The present case highlights difficulties in identifying and managing patients with coronary embolism of vegetations from IE.