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Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) devices have emerged as alternatives to anticoagulation for embolic stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). The left atrial appendage is known to produce vasoactive neuroendocrine hormones involved in cardiovascular homeostasis. The hemodynamic impact of LAA occlusion on cardiac function remains poorly characterized. This is a single-center, retrospective study of sixty-seven consecutive patients who received LAAO utilizing the WATCHMAN device from May 2017 to June 2019. All patients received a comprehensive 2D transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) prior to the procedure and a post-procedural TTE. 2D echocardiographic pre-/post-procedural measurements including left ventricular ejection fraction, tricuspid regurgitation, estimated pulmonary artery pressure, diastolic parameters, and left atrial and right ventricular strain were statistically analyzed using the paired t-test. Seventy percent of study patients were male with an overall mean age of 73.0 ± 9.0 years. Analysis of post-procedural LAAO revealed statistically significant improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (52.4 ± 12.6 vs. 56.7 ± 12.7, p

Patients who underwent transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) for mitral regurgitation with atrial fibrillation (AF) at baseline have higher mortality than those without AF. Data on new-onset AF (NOAF) after TEER are limited. Using the 2016 to 2018 Nationwide Readmissions Database, we identified a cohort of patients who underwent TEER and classified them into 3 groups based on AF presence during the study period. The primary end point was the incidence and timing of NOAF up to 6 months after TEER. Logistic regression modeling identified independent predictors of NOAF at readmission. Of the 6,861patients that underwent TEER, 4,134 (59.9%) had AF at baseline, and 239 (3.5%) developed NOAF. Median time-to-NOAF admission was 47 days (interquartile range 16 to 113), and 37% of patients with NOAF presented within 30 days after TEER. Patients with NOAF experienced costlier and longer index-TEER hospitalization and had more co-morbidities. Chronic kidney disease (odds ratio [OR] 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03 to 2.20), fluid and electrolyte disorders (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.52), and heart failure (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.01 to 3.44) were identified as independent predictors of NOAF. Hypertensive complications and heart failure were the leading causes of readmission. In conclusion, those patients that developed NOAF after TEER tended to be an overall sicker group at baseline compared with the remainder of the study cohort. These data, obtained from a nationally representative cohort, highlight a particular group of patients subject to developing NOAF and their association with increased rehospitalization in the post-TEER setting. Predictors of NOAF can be screened for during TEER workup to identify patients at increased risk.

Whether renal artery stenting (RAS) confers benefit over medical therapy (MT) alone in patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis admitted with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), congestive heart failure (CHF), or hypertensive crisis remains unknown. We identified a nationally-weighted cohort of 116,056 patients from the Nationwide Readmissions Database with a preexisting diagnosis of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis and an index hospitalization diagnosis of ACS, CHF, or hypertensive crisis, and propensity-matched on the likelihood of undergoing inpatient RAS. Thirty-day readmission rates, index hospitalization complications, hospital lengths-of-stay, and cost were compared between treatment groups. Overall, all-cause, nonelective 30-day readmission rates did not differ between RAS and MT alone (18.2% vs 18.7%, respectively, p = 0.49). RAS was associated with higher index rates of acute kidney injury, major bleeding, transfusion, and vascular complications, and were similar irrespective of index hospitalization diagnosis. Index hospitalization length of stay (6 vs 4 days; p0.001) and cost ($23,020 vs. $11,459; p0.001) were higher with RAS. In conclusion, nearly 1-in-5 patients hospitalized with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis and ACS, CHF, or hypertensive crisis were readmitted within 30-days. Index hospitalization complications occurred more frequently among those treated with RAS than MT alone, but the likelihood of readmission did not differ by treatment strategy.

Patients have demonstrated a growing interest in using wearable devices, particularly smartwatches, to monitor and improve their cardiovascular wellness. Wearable devices are now one of the fastest growing sectors of the technology industry, and big technology companies, such as Apple (Apple Watch), Google (Fitbit), and Samsung (Galaxy), have engineered smartwatch features that are capable of monitoring biometrics, such as heart rhythm, heart rate, blood pressure, and sleep. These devices hold significant potential to impact the relation between cardiologists and their patients, but concerns exist about device trustworthiness to detect pertinent data points and deliver alerts with accuracy. How these devices' features will interplay with cardiologists' workflow has also yet to be defined and requires thoughtful implementation. Furthermore, the success of smartwatches as medical devices is dependent on patients' continuous use. Keeping patients engaged with their devices through leveraging behavioral factors may lead to achieving and optimizing healthcare goals. Socioeconomic disparities and privacy concerns are other barriers in the path forward. Cardiovascular professional societies are uniquely poised to help impact how these devices are eventually accepted and used in everyday practice. In conclusion, engagement and collaboration with big tech companies will help guide how this market grows.

Background: There are limited contemporary, national data describing diagnostic cardiac catheterization with subsequent percutaneous coronary intervention (ad hoc percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI]) performed by an invasive-diagnostic and interventional (Dx/IC) operator team versus solo interventional operator (solo-IC). Using the CathPCI Registry, this study aimed at analyzing trends and outcomes in ad hoc PCI among Dx/IC versus solo-IC operators. Methods: Quarterly rates (January 2012 to March 2018) of ad hoc PCI cases by Dx/IC and solo-IC operators were obtained. Odds of inhospital major adverse cardiovascular events, net adverse cardiovascular events (ie, composite major adverse cardiovascular event+bleeding), and rarely appropriate PCI were estimated using multivariable regression. Results: From 1077 sites, 1 262 948 patients were included. The number of invasive-diagnostic operators and cases performed by Dx/IC teams decreased from nearly 9% to 5% during the study period. Patients treated by Dx/IC teams were more often White and had fewer comorbidities compared with patients treated by solo-IC operators. Considerable variation existed across sites, and over two-fifths of sites had 0% ad hoc PCI performed by Dx/IC. In adjusted analyses, ad hoc performed by Dx/IC had similar risks of major adverse cardiovascular event (OR, 1.04 [95% CI, 0.97–1.11]) and net adverse cardiovascular events (OR, 0.98 [95% CI, 0.94–1.03]) compared with solo-IC. Rarely appropriate PCI, although low overall (2.1% versus 1.9%) occurred more often by Dx/IC compared with solo-IC (OR, 1.20 [95% CI, 1.13–1.26]). Conclusions: Contemporary, nationwide data from the CathPCI Registry demonstrates the number of Dx/IC operator teams and cases has decreased but that case volume is stable among operators. Outcomes were independent of operator type, which supports current practice patterns. The finding of a higher risk of rarely appropriate PCI in Dx/IC teams should be further studied.

Cardiovascular diseases exert a wide-reaching epidemiological impact as the number one cause of death worldwide. Emerging technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence (AI) are poised to significantly change the field of cardiology. However, their applications are still emerging. We aimed to define the role of big data and AI in cardiovascular disease with a focus on research. There are zettabyte levels (1021 bytes) of big data in the US that can be directed towards healthcare research. There are applications of big data analytics already being put to use with genomics, heart failure readmissions, echocardiography, and many other areas within cardiology. We profile in this paper an extensive listing of various datasets used throughout the globe to study big data. Within cardiology, there is tremendous potential for the application of big data analytics in personalized patient care; however, they still require validation.

Summary There is limited information about differences in maternal deaths from peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) between advanced and developing countries. To review the literature to define the global prevalence of death from PPCM, and to determine the differences in PPCM mortality rates and risk factors between advanced and developing countries. Studies in the English language reporting mortality data on patients with PPCM were included from searches of MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, the Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus from 01 January 2000 to 11 May 2016. Of the 4294 articles identified, 1.07% were included. The primary outcome was death; rates of heart transplant, acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, arrhythmia, cerebrovascular events, embolism and cardiac arrest were recorded. Studies were categorized as having been conducted in advanced or developing countries. Data from 46 studies, 4925 patients and 13 countries were included. There were 22 studies from advanced countries (n = 3417) and 24 from developing countries (n = 1508); mean follow-up was 2.6 (range 0–8.6) years. Overall mortality prevalence was 9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 6–11%). The mortality rate in developing countries (14%, 95% CI 10–18%) was significantly higher than that in advanced countries (4%, 95% CI 2–7%). There was no difference in the prevalence of risk factors (chronic hypertension, African descent, multiple gestation and multiparity) between advanced and developing countries. Studies with a higher prevalence of women of African descent had higher death rates (correlation coefficient 0.29, 95% CI 0.13–0.52). The risk of death in women with PPCM was higher in developing countries than in advanced countries. Women of African descent had an increased risk of death.

Heart failure (HF) remains the most common major cardiovascular complication arising in pregnancy and the postpartum period. Mothers who develop HF have been shown to experience an increased risk of death as well as a variety of adverse cardiac and obstetric outcomes. Recent studies have demonstrated that the risk to neonates is significant, with increased risks in perinatal morbidity and mortality, low Apgar scores, and prolonged neonatal intensive care unit stays. Information on the causal factors of HF can be used to predict risk and understand timing of onset, mortality, and morbidity. A variety of modifiable, nonmodifiable, and obstetric risk factors as well as comorbidities are known to increase a patient's likelihood of developing HF, and there are additional elements that are known to portend a poorer prognosis beyond the HF diagnosis. Multidisciplinary cardio‐obstetric teams are becoming more prominent, and their existence will both benefit patients through direct care and increased awareness and educate clinicians and trainees on this patient population. Detection, access to care, insurance barriers to extended postpartum follow‐up, and timely patient counseling are all areas where care for these women can be improved. Further data on maternal and fetal outcomes are necessary, with the formation of State Maternal Perinatal Quality Collaboratives paving the way for such advances.

Background Transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in patients with cryptogenic stroke reduces the rate of recurrent events. Although presence of thrombophilia increases the risk for paradoxical emboli through a PFO, such patients were excluded from large randomized trials. Objectives We compared the safety and efficacy of percutaneous PFO closure in patients with and without a hypercoagulable state. Methods Data from 800 consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous PFO closure in our medical center were analyzed. All patients were independently evaluated by specialists in neurology, cardiology, hematology, and vascular medicine. A post-procedural treatment of at least 3 months of anticoagulation was utilized in patients with thrombophilia. Follow-up events included death, recurrent neurological events, and the need for reintervention for significant residual shunt. Results A hypercoagulable state was found in 239 patients (29.9%). At median follow-up of 41.9 months, there were no differences in the frequencies of stroke or transient ischemic attack between patients with or without thrombophilia (2.5% in non-hypercoagulable group vs. 3.4% in hypercoagulable group, log-rank test p = 0.35). There were no significant differences in baseline demographics, echocardiographic characteristics, procedural success, or complications between groups. Conclusion Percutaneous PFO closure is a safe and effective therapeutic approach for patients with cryptogenic stroke and an underlying hypercoagulable state.

Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) devices have emerged as alternatives to anticoagulation for embolic stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). The left atrial appendage is known to produce vasoactive neuroendocrine hormones involved in cardiovascular homeostasis. The hemodynamic impact of LAA occlusion on cardiac function remains poorly characterized.This is a single-center, retrospective study of sixty-seven consecutive patients who received LAAO utilizing the WATCHMAN device from May 2017 to June 2019. All patients received a comprehensive 2D transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) prior to the procedure and a post-procedural TTE. 2D echocardiographic pre-/post-procedural measurements including left ventricular ejection fraction, tricuspid regurgitation, estimated pulmonary artery pressure, diastolic parameters, and left atrial and right ventricular strain were statistically analyzed using the paired t-test.Seventy percent of study patients were male with an overall mean age of 73.0 ± 9.0 years. Analysis of post-procedural LAAO revealed statistically significant improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (52.4 ± 12.6 vs. 56.7 ± 12.7, p 0.001), an increase in mitral E/e' (14.1 ± 6.5 vs. 18.3 ± 10.8, p 0.001), and a decrease right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RVGLS) (- 17.5 ± 4.6 vs. - 19.6 ± 5.7, p = 0.027) as compared to pre-procedural TTE. Peak left atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) improved post-LAAO (20.6 ± 12.2 to 22.9 ± 12.9, p = 0.040) with adjustment for cardiac arrhythmias. Post-LAAO, heart failure hospitalizations occurred in 23.9% of patients.Percutaneous LAAO results in real-time atrial and ventricular hemodynamic changes as assessed by echocardiographic evaluation of LV filling pressures (E/e'), PALS, RVGLS, and LVEF.

Introduction: TAVR is approved for use for a range of patients with aortic stenosis. The need for a permanent pacemaker device (PPD) after TAVR varies, but can range from 2 to 51%. Risk factors for requiring PPD after TAVR appear to include being male and having baseline conduction disturbances. Being able to predict who may require PPD could identify at risk patients early and may confer cost savings. Given the advent of machine learning classifier techniques, random forests may aid in better predicting need for PPD after TAVR by using pre-operative variables. Hypothesis: Random Forests offer discriminatory ability in predicting the need for PPD after TAVR using primarily pre-operative variables. Methods: Pre-operative data from a single institution were collected patients undergoing TAVR without a history of PPD between January 2016 and December 2019. EKG data was obtained including underlying rhythm, QRS duration and any underlying conduction abnormality. Other variables included anti-arrhythmic data, comorbidities, and eGFR. Data was imported into Python and a stratified 5 fold cross validation with SMOTE oversampling running at every fold to avoid overfitting was run on the training set. The model that optimized the receiver under the operator curve was exported and applied to a test data set. Precision and recall were calculated to assess classification. Results: A total of 513 patients were identified with nearly 9% eventually requiring PPD. A total of 40 predictor variables were utilized in the modeling. A stratified split of the data resulted in a training set of 384 patients and a test set of 129 patients. A total of 500 trees were used on the training set. The final optimized model had an ROC of 0.71 with the following parameters: gini criterion, max depth of 4, and logarithm max features . When applied to the test set, the model had an ROC of 0.63. Overall accuracy was 0.78, with a precision and recall for no PPD after TAVR being 0.94 and 0.81 and a precision and recall for PPD after TAVR of 0.18 and 0.45. Conclusions: Our results show that machine learning techniques, specifically random forests have discriminatory ability in predicting PPD after TAVR. More tuning of the models are required to achieve better discrimination.

Introduction: Despite increasing TAVR volumes after a series of recent favorable clinical trials, adverse outcomes remain frequent, including new or worsened conduction disease requiring PPMI, life-threatening bleeding, paravalvular leak, and stroke. PPMI carries a reported incidence ranging from 8.8-14.6% and is of particular concern given the increased risk of mortality and rehospitalization. New techniques in signal processing may inform novel statistical approaches to better predict PPMI from a set of clinical variables. Artificial neural networks (ANN) comprise a family of algorithms that utilize non-linear activation functions to enable improved prediction of PPMI in TAVR patients. Objective: To examine the predictive utility of a feed-forward neural network in classifying PPM implantation in patients undergoing TAVR. Methods: Pre and post-operative data from a single institution were collected for all patients undergoing TAVR without prior pacemaker implantation from January 2016 to December 2019. Data was imported into Matlab, partitioned into training, validation, and test sets, and processed in a two-layer feed-forward neural network with sigmoid hidden and softmax output neurons. Performance data included confusion matrices and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: The total sample size for the cohort was 513 patients with a PPMI incidence of 8.6%. The training set contained 40 variables and 359 patients, while the validation and test sets contained 77 patients each. The final optimized model showed cross-entropy of 0.25 with 6 iterations and an area under ROC curve of 0.73. Overall model accuracy was 92.7% in the validation set and 88.3% in the test set. Conclusions: In summary, we show that feed-forward neural networks can be useful in processing multiple interdependent variables to aid clinical prediction. Our network demonstrated modest discriminatory ability in predicting the need for PPMI after TAVR.

Introduction: TAVR is increasingly being performed because of several recent large-scale clinical trials supporting its use across a range of patient sub-classes. Although it provides life-altering relief of severe aortic stenosis, adverse outcomes are not uncommon including paravalvular leak, life-threatening bleeding, acute kidney injury, stroke, and PPMI. RFE can help certain classification models like logistic regression in better predicting binary variables such as PPMI by creating a model based upon a set of predictors and then progressively eliminating variables to optimize the model. Objective: To determine whether RFE when applied to logistic regression would result in discriminatory ability in the prediction of PPM implantation in patients undergoing TAVR Methods: Pre- and postoperative data from a single institution were collected for all patients undergoing TAVR without a history of PPMI between January 2016 and December 2019. EKG data obtained included QRS duration, presence of atrioventricular block, left anterior and posterior fasicular block and right bundle branch block(RBBB). Data was imported into Python and a stratified 5 fold cross validation with SMOTE oversampling was run with RFE running at every fold to avoid overfitting. Upon completion, a rank score was tabulated for each predictor and a final logistic regression model with the highest optimized receiver under the operator curve was exported and applied to a test set. The receiver under the operator score was calculated for the training and test sets and the variables of importance were identified using RFE. Results: The total sample size for this cohort was 513 patients, with a PPMI incidence of 8.58%. The training set consisted of 40 variables and 384 patients, and the test set had 129 patients. The final optimized model on the training set had an ROC of 0.75 and utilized three features out of forty. The three features identified by RFE were: implanted TAVR valve size, QRS duration, and presence of RBBB. The model had a ROC of 0.63 on the test set. Conclusions: Our results show that presence of pre-op RBBB, prolonged QRS duration and valve size were risk factors for PPMI. Logistic regression classification had modest ability in predicting the need for PPMI after TAVR.

Background Pregnancy increases the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The purpose of this study was to examine timing and risk factors for AMI in pregnancy and poor outcome. Methods and Results National Inpatient Sample (2003–2015) was screened in pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum. There were 11 297 849 records extracted with 913 instances of AMI (0.008%). One hundred eleven (12.2%) women experienced AMI during labor and delivery, 338 (37.0%) during pregnancy and most during the postpartum period (464; 50.8%). The prevalence of AMI in pregnancy has increased ( P =0.0005). Most major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events occurred in the postpartum period (63.5%). Inpatient mortality was 4.5%. Predictors of AMI include known coronary artery disease (odds ratio [OR], 517.4; 95% CI, 420.8–636.2), heart failure (OR, 8.2; 95% CI, 1.9–35.2), prior valve replacement (OR, 6.4; 95% CI, 2.4–17.1), and atrial fibrillation (OR, 2.7; CI, 1.5–4.7; P P Conclusions AMI is associated with modifiable, nonmodifiable, and obstetric risk factors. These risk factors can lead to devastating adverse outcomes and highlight the need for risk factor modification and public health resource initiatives toward the goal of decreasing AMI in the pregnant population.

Background Transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in patients with cryptogenic stroke reduce the rate of recurrent events. Although presence of thrombophilia increases the risk for paradoxical emboli through a PFO, such patients were excluded from the large randomized studies. Purpose To examine the effect of hypercoagulable state on clinical outcomes after PFO closure. Methods We retrospectively analyzed data of 800 consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous PFO closure at the Massachusetts general hospital. We compared the safety and efficacy of the procedure in patients with and without a hypercoagulable state. Periprocedural treatment included 3 months of anticoagulation followed by low dose aspirin. Results A hypercoagulable disorder was found in 239 patients (29.9%). There were no significant differences in baseline demographics, echocardiographic characteristics, procedural success rate, or complication rate between both groups. At median follow-up of 41.9 months there were no differences in the rate of stroke/transient ischemic attack (2.5% in non-hypercoagulable group vs. 3.4% in hypercoagulable group, log-rank test p=0.349). Survival analysis of composite outcome that included: ischemic neurologic event, reintervention and procedural or neurologic death did not show significant difference between groups (Log-rank p=0.122). Conclusion Percutaneous PFO closure is a safe and effective therapeutic approach for patients with cryptogenic stroke and an underlying hypercoagulable state Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Research funds of the Massachusetts general hospital

Introduction Conduction disturbances after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) requiring permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation are a well-known procedural complication. Data on the effect of post-TAVR PPM implantation on 30-day readmissions is scarce. Methods The Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) is a nationally representative sample of all US hospitalizations, representing over 35 million discharges. The 2016 NRD was used to identify patients who underwent TAVR and PPM implantation from January to November 2016. Propensity matching was used to balance baseline clinical characteristics. Results Of the 44,607 patients who underwent TAVR, 4,878 (10.9%) required permanent pacemaker implantation during their index hospitalization. Patients requiring PPM during their index admission for TAVR had a higher crude median length of stay (LOS) (5d vs. 3d, p Conclusions Based on a nationally representative sample, 10.9% of patients undergoing TAVR required PPM implantation during the index hospitalization. Age, diabetes, obesity, and right or left bundle branch blocks were significant predictors of PPM implantation. PPM implantation resulted in significantly higher LOS, costs, and 30-day readmissions on propensity-matched analysis. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Background Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation may improve quality of life and long-term mortality among patients with heart failure. Purpose The rates of hospital readmission after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation among patients with an established diagnosis of heart failure are largely unknown. We aimed to assess the rates and causes of 30-day readmission among patients with heart failure undergoing catheter ablation vs. medical therapy for atrial fibrillation in the United States. Methods The 2016 Nationwide Readmissions Database was screened for patients with diagnosis of heart failure and atrial fibrillation using the 10th Revision of International Classification of Diseases codes. Patients undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation were grouped separately from those treated medically for atrial fibrillation. Thirty-day readmissions were assessed for both groups. Results The analytical cohort included 749,776 (national estimate of 1,421,673) patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation. This included 2,204 patients that underwent catheter ablation. Patients treated with catheter ablation had lower 30-day readmissions compared to the medical therapy group (16.8% vs 20.1%, p Conclusions In a contemporary nationwide analysis of patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation, compared to medical therapy those treated with catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation had fewer 30-day readmissions after index hospital discharge. The most common cause for readmission among patients treated with catheter ablation was heart failure exacerbation and arrhythmia. Causes of readmission Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Objective To analyze the incidence, predictors, and cost of 30-day left atrial appendage closure readmissions utilizing the Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) and to develop a scoring system to predict readmission risk. Background Determining incidence and predictors of 30-day readmission post-left atrial appendage closure can direct resources towards high-risk patients. Methods International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes were used to identify patients. We excluded patients who were discharged or died in December 2016. Influential factors were identified by univariate analysis and clinical suspicion. Continuous variables were compared using the Student’s T-test and categorical variables were compared using chi-square or Fisher’s exact test. A logistic regression model and scoring system were developed and validated. Results 2975 patients were identified and 243 (8.2%) readmitted within 30 days. Non-routine disposition (p

BACKGROUND Randomized clinical trial data have demonstrated catheter ablation (CA) as a viable treatment modality for atrial fibrillation (AF). Patients with heart failure (HF) undergoing AF CA appear to derive improvements in quality of life and mortality compared to those treated with medical therapy (MT). Contemporary national data on 30-day readmissions after CA compared to MT among patients with HF are lacking. METHODS From the 2016 Nationwide Readmissions Databases, 749 776 (weighted national estimate: 1 421 673) AF HF patients were identified of which 2204 (0.3%) underwent CA and 747 572 (99.7%) received MT. Propensity matching balanced baseline clinical characteristics. Thirty-day readmission rates, causes, predictors, and costs of 30-day readmission were compared. RESULTS Among both the unmatched and matched cohorts, 30-day readmissions were lower for patients treated with CA compared to MT (16.8% vs 20.1%, P

Background: Contemporary, nationally representative 30-day readmissions data after carotid artery stenting (CAS) and carotid endarterectomy (CEA) are lacking. Methods: Patients undergoing CAS or CEA were identified from the 2013 to 2014 Nationwide Readmissions Databases. Propensity matching was used to balance baseline clinical characteristics. Thirty-day nonelective readmission rates, length of stay, and causes of readmission were compared. Results: Overall, 85 337 (national estimate of 194 332) patients were identified before propensity score matching, 11 490 (13.4%) of whom underwent CAS and 73 847 (86.6%) of whom underwent CEA. Crude 30-day readmission rates were higher for patients treated with CAS than CEA (8.3% versus 6.8%; P P =0.20), and readmission length of stay was longer for CEA than CAS (2 versus 1 day, respectively; P =0.002). The most common reasons for readmission were neurological and cardiac events; readmission reasons varied by revascularization modality. Readmission due to a stroke or transient ischemic attack was more common among patients treated with CAS than CEA (1.2% versus 0.9%; P =0.042), while readmission for procedural or medical complications occurred more often following CEA than CAS (1.1% versus 0.5%; P Conclusions: Less than 8% of patients are readmitted within 30 days of a carotid revascularization procedure. After adjusting for baseline differences, readmission rates are similar for CAS and CEA although readmission length of stay is longer after the latter. Readmission for neurological causes was more common following CAS while readmission for procedural or medical complications occurred more often following CEA. Higher annual institutional CEA volumes were associated with lower risk for 30-day readmission; in contrast, institutional CAS volumes were not related to readmission risk. These data provide important insights into the short-term, outcomes of patients following carotid artery revascularization.

Background Patient presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS) have extremely high mortality rates. Objectives We sought to assess the impact of prior revascularization by either coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on the in-hospital and 12-month outcomes and compare them with revascularization-naive patients. Methods and results Between 1/2010 and 5/2017, a total of 241 consecutive patients were admitted to our institution with STEMI and CS as defined by New York State Percutaneous Coronary Interventions Reporting System (PCIRS) and underwent primary PCI. Baseline clinical, angiographic and procedural characteristics, as well as in-hospital outcomes were prospectively collected among all patients undergoing primary PCI as part of the New York State PCIRS data collection. Patients with a history of prior bypass graft surgery were older and had a history of heart failure, hypertension, dyslipidemia , and diabetes. The left anterior descending coronary artery was usually the culprit vessel in post PCI and revascularization naive patients, whereas it was a vein graft in patients with a prior history of surgical bypass. In-hospital mortality rates were different in the three groups and there was no significant difference in major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events rates among the three groups ( p = 0.87). Notably, revascularization-naive patients had higher rates of major bleeding complications (p = 0.006). By multivariable analysis, only age (OR 1.03; CI = 1.0–1.06), a prior history of congestive heart failure (OR 4.36, CI = 1.04–18.38) and dyslipidemia (OR 0.32 CI = 0.15–0.64) were independent predictors of 12-month mortality. Prior revascularization had no impact on rates of stroke, death or MACCE. Conclusions Patients with acute STEMI and CS had similar in-hospital and one year mortality, stroke or major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events rates irrespective of their prior revascularization status.

Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) reflects ventricular performance and volume status. We sought to analyze the relationship between LVEDP and the incidence of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Between January 2006 and December 2008, a total of 254 patients presenting with an acute coronary syndrome had the LVEDP assessed prior to the intervention. Contrast-induced AKI was defined as an increase in serum creatinine ≥25% from baseline or an absolute increase of0.5 mg/dL from baseline. Patients were divided into three groups according to baseline LVEDP (12 mmHg, 12-20 mmHg and 20 mmHg). Baseline clinical, angiographic and procedural characteristics, as well as serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at baseline and at 24, 48 and 72 h were retrospectively collected.Baseline clinical characteristics were similar in all three groups with the exception of lower left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with elevated LVEDP (p = 0.02). Among the 17 patients with an LVEDP 12 mmHg, only one (5.9%) developed AKI; among the 82 patients with an LVEDP = 12-20 mmHg, 15 (18.3%) developed AKI; and among the 155 patients with an LVEDP 20 mmHg, only 22 developed AKI (13.6%). There was no correlation between LVEDP and the change in GFR at 24 h and at 48 h. Further comparison between the group of patients that developed contrast induced AKI versus those that did not, showed a that there was a significantly lower baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) among patients that developed contrast induced AKI compared to those that did not (41.4% vs. 48.3%, p = 0.045, respectively).In patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing PCI, baseline LVEDP was not associated with contrast-induced AKI. However patients with reduced ejection fraction seemed to be at a higher risk of developing AKI. More studies are needed to assess the relationship between LVEDP, LVEF and the risk of developing contrast induced AKI.

Objectives This study sought to determine whether higher maximal activated clotting time (ACT) during transradial (TR) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with greater bleeding risk. Background Higher maximal ACT during transfemoral (TF) PCI has been associated with a greater bleeding risk. It is unclear whether this relationship exists in the setting of TR PCI. Methods Among 14,637 patients undergoing TR or TF PCI with unfractionated heparin monotherapy, the study related maximal ACT to the risk of major bleeding. In secondary analyses, the study related maximal ACT to composites of in-hospital death, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke and in-hospital death, MI, or urgent target vessel revascularization. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to compare outcomes in the third with the first and second maximal ACT tertiles. Results More major bleeding occurred at ACT >290 s versus ≤290 s following TF (7.7% vs. 5.8%; p = 0.006) but not TR PCI (1.7% vs. 2.4%; p = 0.18). After adjustment, major bleeding risk remained significantly higher at ACT >290 s versus ACT ≤290 s among TF (odds ratio: 1.28; 95% confidence interval: 1.02 to 1.62; p = 0.036) but not TR PCI (odds ratio: 0.72; 95% confidence interval: 0.42 to 1.22; p = 0.22). Maximal ACT was not related to the incidence of composite death, MI, or stroke or death, MI, or urgent target vessel revascularization following TF or TR PCI. Conclusions Higher maximal ACT is associated with a greater risk of major bleeding following TF PCI than TR PCI.

Background Limited data exists exploring the relationship between varying degrees of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Methods Records were selected from the 2011 to 2012 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's National Inpatient Sample for TAVR patients with pre-existing AF and CKD. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and TAVR-related in-hospital adverse events were identified and compared between patients with and without AF and moderate CKD (CKD stage 3–4), and between patients with and without AF and severe CKD (CKD stage 5 or end stage renal disease [ESRD]). Evaluated outcomes included major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). Results We identified a total of 293 patients with moderate CKD (stage 3 and higher) that underwent TAVR at selected U.S. hospitals between 2011 and 2012. Among these patients, 112 had a diagnosis of AF and 181 did not have AF. MACCE rates were similar among CKD 3–4 patients with and without AF (10.3% and 9.0% respectively, p = 0.74). MACCE rates were similar among CKD 5/ESRD patients with and without AF (20.0% and 16.2% respectively, p = 0.74). However, MACCE rates were higher in patients with CKD 5/ESRD compared with CKD 3–4 patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis did not show that AF was an independent predictor of in-hospital MACCE. Conclusions In a large retrospective analysis of CKD stage 3–4 or CKD 5/ESRD patients undergoing TAVR at selected U.S. hospitals, the presence of AF did not seem to be associated with increased adverse in-hospital events or length of stay.

Objectives To compare bleeding and clinical events of patients with stable angina or silent ischemia undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) treated with unfractionated heparin (UFH) or bivalirudin. Background Few direct comparisons between UFH monotherapy versus bivalirudin exist for patients with stable ischemic heart disease undergoing PCI. Methods A prospective, investigator-initiated, single-center, single-blinded, randomized trial of UFH versus bivalirudin was conducted. The primary endpoint was all bleeding (major and minor) from index-hospitalization to 30 days post discharge. Secondary endpoints included major adverse cerebral and cardiovascular events (MACCE) and net adverse clinical events (NACE). Results Two-hundred-sixty patients were randomized for treatment with either UFH (n = 123) (47%) or bivalirudin (n = 137) (53%) There were no significant differences in baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics between the two groups. Primary endpoint was similar in both groups (10.9% with bivalirudin vs 7.3% with UFH [P = 0.31]). Major bleeding rates were 5.8% and 2.4%, respectively (P = 0.17). There was a higher MACCE (3.5% vs 0%, P = 0.03) and NACE (8.8% vs 2.4%, P = 0.03) rate with bivalirudin compared to UFH, respectively. Bivalirudin had increased odds of NACE (OR = 3.65, 95% CI: 1.00-13.3.6). Death and stent thrombosis rates were low and similar in both groups. Radial access was associated with fewer bleeding events compared to femoral access but not statistically significant (P = 0.29). Conclusions Among patients with stable angina or silent ischemia, there was no difference between UFH and bivalirudin in bleeding rates up to 30-days post-PCI. MACCE and NACE were higher among the bivalirudin group. Radial access was associated with a numerically lower rate of bleeding compared with femoral access.

Objectives This study sought to compare in-hospital major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) following endovascular therapy with open surgery for chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI). Background There are limited contemporary data on in-hospital cardiovascular outcomes among patients with CMI undergoing revascularization via endovascular therapy versus open surgery in the United States. Methods Patients with CMI undergoing endovascular or surgical (mesenteric bypass or endarterectomy) revascularization between 2007 and 2014 were identified from the National Inpatient Sample. Weighted national estimates were obtained. Primary and secondary endpoints were MACCE (death, myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiac post-operative complications) and composite in-hospital complications (MACCE + post-operative peripheral vascular complications, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, major bleeding, and bowel resection), respectively. Propensity score matching was used to obtain a balanced cohort of 880 unweighted patients in each group. Results Of 4,150 patients with CMI, 3,206 (77.2%) underwent endovascular therapy and 944 (22.8%) underwent surgery (weighted national estimates of 15,850 and 4,687, respectively). In the propensity-matched cohort, MACCE and composite in-hospital complications occurred significantly less often after endovascular therapy than surgery (8.6% vs. 15.9%; p Conclusions In a large, retrospective analysis of patients with CMI, endovascular therapy remained the dominant revascularization modality, and was associated with lower rates of MACCE, composite in-hospital complications, lower costs, and shorter length of stay compared with surgery.

Investigation of trends and outcomes in heart disease (HD) and pregnancy has been limited. We chose to identify the prevalence, trends, and outcomes of pregnant women with different forms of HD in the United States. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's National Inpatient Sample was screened for hospital admissions for delivery in pregnant women with HD from 2003 to 2012. Maternal clinical characteristics and outcomes were identified in women with and without HD, and in HD subtypes: congenital (CHD), valvular HD, cardiomyopathy, and pulmonary hypertension (PH). Primary outcomes of interest were prevalence, trends, and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), a composite of in-hospital death, acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, arrhythmia, cerebrovascular event, embolic events, or cardiac complications of anesthesia. We studied 81,295 patients with HD and 39,894,032 without. CHD was the most frequent type (41.8%, 33,982 of 81,295 patients), followed by valvular HD (30.9%, 25,138 of 81,295 patients), cardiomyopathy (20.8%, 16,926 of 81,295 patients), and PH (6.5%, 5,250 of 81,295 patients). MACE was highest among women with cardiomyopathy and lowest among women with CHD (44.0%, 7,449 of 16,926 vs 6.2%, 2,102 of 33,982; p

Objective Determine the rates, reasons, predictors, and costs of 30-day readmissions following transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) versus surgical mitral valve repair (SMVR) in the United States. Background Data on 30-day readmissions after TMVR are limited. Methods High-risk patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) undergoing TMVR or SMVR were identified from the 2014-2015 Nationwide Readmissions Databases. Multivariable stepwise regression models were used to identify independent predictors of 30-day readmission. Risk of 30-day readmission was compared between the two groups using univariate and propensity score adjusted regression models. Results Among 8,912 patients undergoing mitral valve repair during 2014-2015 (national estimate 17,809), we identified 7,510 (84.7%) that underwent SMVR and 1,402 (15.3%) that underwent TMVR. Thirty-day readmission rates after SMVR and TMVR were 10.7% and 11.7%, respectively (unadjusted OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.89-1.39, p = .35). After propensity score adjustment, TMVR was associated with a lower risk of 30-day readmissions compared with SMVR (adjusted OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.51-0.95, p = .02). Heart failure and arrhythmias were the leading cardiac reasons for readmission. Anemia and fluid and electrolyte disorder were independent predictors of 30-day readmission after TMVR. Demographics, comorbidities, and length of stay were independent predictors of 30-day readmission after SMVR. Conclusions One in 10 patients are readmitted within 30 days following TMVR or SMVR. Approximately half of the readmissions are for cardiac reasons. The predictors of 30-day readmission are different among patients undergoing TMVR and SMVR, but can be easily screened for to identify patients at highest risk for readmission.

There are limited contemporary data on readmission after revascularization for chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI). This study aimed to determine the rates, reasons, predictors, and costs of 30-day readmission after endovascular or surgical revascularization for CMI. Patients with CMI discharged after endovascular or surgical revascularization during 2013 to 2014 were identified from the Nationwide Readmissions Database. The rates, reasons, length of stay, and costs of 30-day all-cause, non-elective, readmission were determined using weighted national estimates. Independent predictors of 30-day readmission were determined using hierarchical logistic regression. Among 4671 patients with CMI who underwent mesenteric revascularization, 19.5% were readmitted within 30 days after discharge at a median time of 10 days. More than 25% of readmissions were for cardiovascular or cerebrovascular conditions, most of which were for peripheral or visceral atherosclerosis and congestive heart failure. Independent predictors of 30-day readmission included non-elective index admission, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and discharge to home healthcare or to a skilled nursing facility. Revascularization modality did not independently predict readmission. In a nationwide, retrospective analysis of patients with CMI undergoing revascularization, approximately one in five were readmitted within 30 days. Predictors were largely non-modifiable and included non-elective index admission, CKD, and discharge disposition.

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) and carotid artery endarterectomy (CEA) are complementary techniques for management of patients with carotid artery stenosis. This study investigates the impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and age on outcomes after carotid artery revascularization.National Inpatient Sample was surveyed for CAS and CEA among stage 3 and 4 CKD and stage 5/end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients from 2004 to 2012. Primary endpoint was in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) stratified by kidney function and age. Regression analysis and propensity score matching were utilized.There were 3299 patients that underwent CEA and 652 underwent CAS with stage 3 and 4 CKD. Whereas, 1630 patients underwent CEA and 511 patients underwent CAS with stage 5 CKD/ESRD. Patients undergoing CAS had more in-hospital MACCE. Coronary artery disease (OR1.35, 95%CI:1.07-1.70) and CAS (OR1.35, 95%CI:1.02-1.77) were independently associated with MACCE for stage 3 and 4 CKD patients. For the stage 5 CKD/ESRD cohort, CAS (OR1.75, 95%CI:1.29-2.37) was independently associated with MACCE. Stratifying by age, showed no difference in event rates except for higher MACCE among patients60years old with stage 5 CKD/ESRD undergoing CAS (p0.001). Propensity score matching showed that treatment type had no significant effect on MACCE rates.Among CKD cohorts studied nationally, in-hospital MACCE were higher for patients that underwent CAS. Overall, age group analyses showed that there was no difference in MACCE rates between CAS and CEA. Although CAS was independently associated with MACCE, propensity score matching showed no risk difference of MACCE between CAS and CEA for either CKD cohort.