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We hypothesized that the association of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) with urinary albumin excretion (UAE) is predominately mediated through its correlation with the metabolic syndrome. Serum CRP and urine albumin:creatinine ratios (ACR) from 720 preventive cardiology patients were analyzed to estimate age- and gender-adjusted relative risk of high CRP and metabolic syndrome for high ACR. These data demonstrate that CRP independently predicts the presence of UAE, a marker of endothelial dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest Authors have no conflict of interest.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is not uncommon but remains arguably an under-diagnosed etiology for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). It occurs predominantly in young-to-middle aged women who have no or few traditional atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk factors. Post-infarction mechanical complications are a dreaded outcome of ACS. However, very few case reports describe these mechanical complications related to SCAD. Unsuccessful revascularization is a particular concern for patients presenting with SCAD-induced ACS, which can increase the risk for certain mechanical complications. We present a case of a middle-aged woman who presented with anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and was found to have SCAD of left anterior descending coronary artery. Two attempts at revascularization were unsuccessful. Thereafter, her clinical course was complicated by the development of heart failure as a result of a reduced ejection fraction and a left ventricular pseudoaneurysm. Importantly she also suffered a ventricular septal rupture necessitating surgical intervention. Fortunately, our patient had a favorable longer-term outcome. Current literature, including five published case reports on SCAD complicated by mechanical complications are reviewed. Clinicians must remain aware of post-infarction mechanical complications in patients with high-risk and non-revascularized SCAD., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

There is an increasing prevalence of patients who have both liver cirrhosis (LC) and severe valvular heart disease. This combination typically poses prohibitive risk for liver transplantation. LC related malnourishment, hypoalbuminemia and hyperdynamic circulation places patients with severe LC at higher rates for significant bleeding and/or thrombosis, as well as infectious and renal complications, after either surgical or transcatheter valvular interventions. Although there remains scarce comparative evidence, the preponderance of data suggest that percutaneous strategies are preferred over surgical ones. A multidisciplinary team is ideal for identifying those patients with LC who would benefit from transcatheter valvular heart interventions., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Aims: To examine the shot-term outcomes with catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) vs. catheter-directed embolectomy (CDE) for high-risk pulmonary embolism (PE)., Methods and Results: The Nationwide Readmissions Database was utilized to identify hospitalizations with high-risk PE undergoing CDE or CDT from 2016 to 2019. The main outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality. Propensity score matching was used to compare the outcomes in both groups. Among 3216 high-risk PE hospitalizations undergoing catheter-directed interventions, 868 (27%) received CDE, 1864 (58%) received CDT, and 484 (15%) received both procedures. In the unadjusted analysis, the rate of all-cause in-hospital mortality was not different between CDE and CDT (39.6% vs. 34.2%, P = 0.07). After propensity score matching, there was no difference in the incidence of in-hospital mortality [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.28, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.95, 1.72, P = 0.10], intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) (adjusted OR 1.57, 95% CI: 0.75, 3.29, P = 0.23), or non-ICH bleeding (aOR: 1.17, 95% CI: 0.85, 1.62, P = 0.33). There were no differences in the length of stay, cost, and 30-day unplanned readmissions between both groups., Conclusion: In this contemporary observational analysis of patients admitted with high-risk PE undergoing CDT or CDE, the rates of in-hospital mortality, ICH, and non-ICH bleeding events were not different., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: I.W. is a consultant for Magneto Thrombectomy Solutions and PI for Penumbra, Inc. A.S.D. is a consultant and speaker for Abiomed; Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.; and Shockwave. A.W.M. is a consultant and speaker for Boston Scientific., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: None declared.

Liver cirrhosis (LC) is becoming increasingly common among patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and is associated with significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Management of such patients is complicated by LC related complications. Literature is scarce on the safety of antithrombotic regimens and invasive strategies for ACS in patients with LC, especially those undergoing liver transplant evaluation. Recently there has been evidence that cirrhosis is an independent risk factor for adverse outcomes in ACS. As patients with LC are generally excluded from large randomized trials, definitive guidelines for the management of ACS in this particular cohort are lacking. Many antithrombotic drugs require either hepatic activation or clearance; hence, an accurate assessment of hepatic function is required prior to initiation and dose adjustment. Despite a demonstrated survival benefit of optimal medical therapy and invasive revascularization techniques in LC patients with ACS, both strategies are currently underutilized in this population. This review aims to present currently available data and provide a practical, clinically oriented approach for the management of ACS in LC. Randomized clinical trials in LC patients with ACS are the need of the hour to further refine their management for favorable outcomes., (© 2021. This is a U.S. government work and not under copyright protection in the U.S.; foreign copyright protection may apply.)

A 52-year-old woman with cystic fibrosis presented to the emergency department with expressive aphasia and right-sided hemiparesis. CT scan of the brain revealed a left middle cerebral artery territory infarct. A diagnosis of cerebral paradoxical embolisation associated with patent foramen ovale and a history of deep venous thrombosis was made. The patient underwent endovascular thrombectomy and percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale. Current literature, including five published case reports, pertaining to the subject is discussed. The unique aspects of the case are highlighted, including the particular risk of cerebral paradoxical embolisation in patients with cystic fibrosis. The result of this case report, in context to previously reported literature, suggests that clinicians should be aware of paradoxical embolisation in patients with cystic fibrosis via an intracardiac shunt, particularly with implanted vascular access devices and a history of deep venous thrombosis., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2021. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Despite improvements in acute care and survival following acute coronary syndrome (ACS) hospitalization, readmission remains common. In response, individual institutions have begun to develop their own protocols to reduce variability of care and readmission rates. This review provides approaches for developing and implementing institutional discharge protocols for continuity of care for ACS patients and describes key components of the discharge protocol. Furthermore, specific objectives of the protocol, including medication adherence, patient education, enabling access to cardiac rehabilitation, and clinical follow-up, as well as consideration of patient-specific needs, are discussed with the aim of providing successful continuity of care. TABLE OF CONTENTS SUMMARY: This review discusses approaches for developing and implementing institutional discharge protocols for continuity of care for patients with acute coronary syndrome. The discussion revolves around key components and objectives of a discharge protocol for facilitating successful transition of care., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Adrian Messerli and Christian Deutsch have no conflicts of interest to disclose pertinent to this manuscript., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

The optimal dose and duration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) administered with ultrasound-facilitated catheter-directed thrombolysis (USCDT) to patients with acute PE remains to be determined. Our institution recently adopted a shorter duration (4 h) of USCDT and lower dosing strategy (tPA 1 mg/h) based on data from the OPTALYSE PE Trial. The purpose was to evaluate the implementation at our institution of shorter duration (4 h) of USCDT and lower dosing strategy (tPA 1 mg/h) as outlined by OPTALYSE PE Trial. This was a retrospective, single-center, observational study included patients from 01/01/2017 to 12/31/2018 in a large, academic medical center. Group 1 represented patients who underwent USCDT prior to 01/18/18. Group 2 represented patients who underwent USCDT after 01/18/18 and received 4 h of USCDT and tPA 1 mg/h/catheter. The primary outcome was intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes were the proportion of patients experiencing a composite of major adverse events (death, recurrent PE, major bleeding, or stroke), change in right ventricle size/function and pulmonary artery pressures, need for mechanical respiratory or hemodynamic support, hospital LOS and drug cost. A total of 31 patients were included in the study: twenty patients in Group 1 and eleven patients in Group 2. Median ICU LOS was 3.5 days in Group 1 and 1 day in Group 2. Group 2 had reduced MACE, requirement for mechanical respiratory or hemodynamic support, hospital LOS, drug costs and adverse events. Implementation of a shorter duration of USCDT and lower dosing strategy for tPA in patients with acute PE may be one strategy to reduce the total ICU LOS and costs associated with care.

Introduction: Previous studies have reported lower rates of coronary angiography and revascularization, and significantly higher mortality among patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This observational study was designed to evaluate characteristics and inpatient outcomes of patients with seropositive HIV infection presenting with AMI., Methods: Using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database, we identified patients (admissions) with a primary diagnosis of myocardial infarction and a co-occurring HIV. We described baseline characteristics and outcomes. Our primary outcomes of interest were prevalence of coronary angiography, revascularization (percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or CABG), and mortality., Results: From 2010 to 2014, of about 2,977,387 patients with a primary diagnosis of AMI, 10,907 (0.4%) were HIV seropositive. Patients with HIV were younger and more likely to be African American or Hispanic. Coronary angiography and revascularization were performed more frequently in the HIV population. The higher prevalence of revascularization was driven by a higher incidence of PCI. In a multivariable model, patients with HIV were no more likely to undergo revascularization than the general population. This was also the case for PCI. Unadjusted all-cause mortality was lower among patients with HIV. After controlling for confounders, this finding was not significant (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.75-1.25, p = 0.79). The length of stay between both groups was comparable., Conclusion: In this current analysis, we did not note any treatment bias or difference in the rate of in-hospital total mortality for HIV-seropositive patients presenting with AMI compared with the general population.

Objectives: Patients with cirrhosis have increased bleeding risk due to coagulopathy and platelet sequestration, as well as inherent cardiovascular risk. We aim to assess the impact of cirrhosis on the revascularization rates and in-hospital outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI)., Methods: We queried the National Inpatient Sample Database from 2010 to 2014 and identified hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of AMI (n = 612,547); of these, a total of 3135 patients had a concomitant diagnosis of cirrhosis. We compared clinical outcomes between patients with cirrhosis and a propensity-score matched cohort without cirrhosis (n = 3086)., Results: Patients with cirrhosis had a lower rate of ST-elevation MI (18.9% vs 26.7% in the cohort with no cirrhosis; P<.001), a lower rate of coronary angiography (51.4% vs 63.9% in the cohort with no cirrhosis; P<.001), and lower rates of revascularization by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (28.7% vs 39.2% in the cohort with no cirrhosis; P<.001) or coronary artery bypass grafting (6.0% vs 12.9% in the cohort with no cirrhosis; P<.001). Gastrointestinal and postprocedural hemorrhage was more common in patients with cirrhosis (12.3% vs 7.1% in the cohort with no cirrhosis; P<.001), regardless of revascularization status, and cirrhosis patients also had a higher in-hospital mortality rate (8.7% vs 6.9% in the cohort with no cirrhosis; P<.01). PCI was independently associated with lower mortality in patients with cirrhosis (odds ratio, 0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.33-0.98; P=.04)., Conclusion: Patients with cirrhosis presenting with AMI were highly selected to undergo coronary angiography and subsequent revascularization, and had higher mortality than those without cirrhosis. However, PCI was independently associated with lower mortality in patients with cirrhosis, although to less effect than non-cirrhotics, perhaps due to higher bleeding rates.

Introduction: Malignancy is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and around the world and the second leading cause of death in the United States. There is little data on the impact of metastatic cancer on the risk of hemorrhagic stroke or mortality among patients undergoing fibrinolytic therapy (FT) for acute PE., Methods: Using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database, we extracted admissions with a primary diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism that underwent FT from 2010 to 2014. We performed a case control matched analysis between patients with and without metastatic cancer. Our primary outcome of interest was Mortality and our secondary outcome of interest was hemorrhagic stroke (HS)., Results: Of the 883,183 patients with a primary diagnosis of acute PE between 2010 and 12014, 23,690 patients (2.7%) underwent FT. After exclusion, 22,592 patients were included in the analysis. Of these, 941 patients (4.2%) were reported to have metastatic cancer. There was a higher incidence of cerebrovascular accidents and intubation/mechanical ventilation in the metastatic cancer arm. Mortality was significantly higher in the metastatic cancer arm with no difference in the incidence of HS. In multivariate regression analysis, among all patients that underwent FT for acute PE, metastatic cancer was associated with a significant odds for mortality (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.11-5.82, p < .001)., Conclusion: The presence of metastatic cancer in patients undergoing fibrinolytic therapy for acute pulmonary embolism is associated with increase mortality., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Patients with dextrocardia present unique challenges in the catheterization laboratory. Variable coronary artery anatomy impacts percutaneous access, catheter selection and manipulation, and image acquisition. This is a review of all published reports of radial artery access for diagnostic and/or therapeutic coronary interventions in patients with dextrocardia. We conclude that the radial approach is safe and effective in these patients and should be used without hesitation. In addition, interventionalists should consider use of multipurpose catheters and possess an understanding of how mirror-image fluoroscopy impacts catheter manipulation. Furthermore, we propose a stepwise approach to arterial access, fluoroscopy, and catheter selection for operator reference while treating dextrocardia patients.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) can present with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). The incidence, characteristics, outcomes, and treatment of this subgroup of patients with AF remains poorly studied. Using data from the National Inpatient Sample database, we (1) compared baseline characteristics of patients with AF with/without NSTEMI, (2) evaluated their outcomes and associated trends over the study period (2004-2013), and (3) evaluated revascularization (by percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft [CABG]) and the impact on patient outcomes. Of the 3 923 436 patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of AF, 47 785 (1.2%) had a secondary diagnosis of NSTEMI. In this subgroup with AF and NSTEMI, there was a significant trend toward a decrease in mortality ( P = .002), stroke ( P < .001), and gastrointestinal bleeding ( P < .001) during the study period. Compared to unrevascularized patients, revascularized patients were more likely to be younger (72.2 ± 10.2 vs 77.0 ± 11.8 years old, P < .001), male (57.8 vs 42.7%, P < .001), and had a much higher incidence of coronary risk factors. Revascularization was associated with increased survival in multivariable analysis (odds ratio: 0.562, 95% confidence interval: 0.334-0.946, P = .03). In conclusion, among patients admitted with AF, 1.2% were diagnosed with NSTEMI. A minority of patients with AF and NSTEMI underwent revascularization and had better in-hospital outcomes.

Hemorrhagic stroke (HS) is a feared complication of Fibrinolytic therapy (FT). Risk assessment scores may help in risk stratification to reduce this complication. Patients (admissions) ≥18 years with a primary diagnosis of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who received systemic thrombolysis were extracted from Nationwide Inpatient Sample database and stratified and compared based on CHA 2 DS 2 VASC score 0 to 3, 4 to 6, and 7 to 9 as low, intermediate and high risk, respectively. The primary outcomes of interest were HS and mortality. We performed logistic regression analysis with a composite of HS and mortality as the primary end point. Of the 917,307 admissions with a primary diagnosis of STEMI, 39,579 (4.3%) underwent FT. The median score was 3 (interquartile range 1 to 5). The rate of HS significantly increased in the risk category compared with the low and intermediate groups (0.5% and 0.6% vs 4.1%; p <0.001). Mortality increased with increasing risk category (3.8% vs 10.5% vs 20.7%; p <0.001). Compared with the low-risk group patients in the intermediate (odds ratio 2.11 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.56 to 2.85; p <0.001) and high risk groups (odds ratio 3.47 95% CI 1.68 to 7.2; p <0.001) were more likely to experience the composite end point of HS or inpatient mortality. CHA 2 DS 2 VASC score performed better at predicting mortality (area under curve 0.67, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.7; p = 0.014) than HS (area under curve 0.6 95% CI 0.52 to 0.69; p = 0.021). In conclusion, patients with high CHA 2 DS 2 VASC score (7 to 9) are at a higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke and death after FT for STEMI. CHA 2 DS 2 VASC score performed better at predicting mortality than hemorrhagic stroke in this cohort., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Pharmacologic reperfusion therapy is a recommended and effective strategy in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) when percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is not available. This study investigates temporal trends and outcomes of fibrinolytic therapy (FT) in elderly patients with STEMI., Methods: Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database, we extracted patients ≥80 years a primary diagnosis of STEMI admitted between 2010 and 2014. Using ICD codes, we identified patients who underwent FT. We performed temporal trend analysis, then compared characteristics and inpatient outcomes in the FT group versus no-FT group. Our primary outcome of interest was hemorrhagic stroke (HS). We also assessed the impact of HS on mortality and discharge to skilled nursing facility (SNF)., Results: Of the 917,307 patients with STEMI, 16.1% (n = 147,874) were aged 80 or older. Primary PCI was performed in 46.2%, 2.4% underwent FT, and 51.3% had neither pharmacologic nor mechanical revascularization. The rate of FT increased (1.9%-2.4%) in a nonlinear trend over the five years of the study. The FT group was eight times more likely to suffer HS (P < 0.001). FT was an independent predictor of HS (OR 7.90, 95% CI 4.36-14.30; P < 0.001), whether they underwent PCI or not. HS was an independent predictor of mortality and SNF discharge., Conclusion: FT in patients 80 years or older presenting with STEMI was associated with an eight-fold increase in HS and no associated mortality advantage, both with or without PCI. These data underscore the increased risk of FT in the elderly., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Introduction: This study compared inpatient outcomes related to the use of these two devices among patients who developed cardiogenic shock not due to acute myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization., Methods: We extracted admission-level records of patients with a diagnosis of cardiogenic shock who underwent either PVAD or IABP implantation from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 2010 to 2014. Our outcomes of interest were mortality and length of stay., Results: Inpatient mortality was significantly higher in the PVAD cohort. In multivariate analysis, PVAD use in these patients was associated with higher mortality. There was no difference in the length of stay between both groups among patients that survived to discharge., Conclusion: In our analysis of the NIS database, the use of PVADs in patients with cardiogenic shock of non-ischemic origin was associated with higher mortality when compared to IABP use., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Studies have reported sex differences in the management of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the general population. This observational study is designed to evaluate whether sex differences exist in the contemporary management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients admitted for diagnosis of AMI., Hypothesis: There is no difference in management of HIV patients with AMI., Methods: Using the National Inpatient Sample database, we identified patients with a primary diagnosis of AMI and a secondary diagnosis of HIV. We described baseline characteristics and outcomes using NIS documentation. Our primary areas of interest were revascularization and mortality., Results: Among 2 977 387 patients presenting from 2010 to 2014 with a primary diagnosis of AMI, 10907 (0.4%) had HIV (mean age, 54.1 ± 9.3 years; n = 2043 [18.9%] female). Females were younger, more likely to be black, and more likely to have hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and anemia. Although neither males nor females were more likely to undergo coronary angiography in multivariate analysis, revascularization was performed less frequently in females than in males (45.4% vs 62.7%; P < 0.01), driven primarily by lower incidence of PCI. In a multivariate model, females were less likely to undergo revascularization (OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.45-0.78, P < 0.01), a finding driven solely by PCI (OR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.49-0.83, P < 0.01). All-cause mortality was similar in both groups., Conclusions: AMI was more common in males than females with HIV. Females with HIV were more likely to be younger and black and less likely to be revascularized by PCI., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

President Eisenhower experienced an acute heart attack in September 1955 and died of ischemic cardiomyopathy 14 years later. The autopsy revealed, unexpectedly, a 1.5-cm pheochromocytoma in the left adrenal gland. In view of these hitherto unreported findings, the investigators analyzed the blood pressure pattern of the president throughout his life. Although hypertension was documented on and off from 1930 until his death, it is unknown whether the pheochromocytoma was present during his presidency. During the later part of President Eisenhower's life, excessive systolic and diastolic blood pressure spikes were documented, although he concomitantly had severe ischemic cardiomyopathy. In conclusion, most likely, the pheochromocytoma was the underlying cause of this erratic blood pressure pattern and may have worsened the course of the president's ischemic cardiomyopathy.

This study shows that elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and plasma total homocysteine contribute independently to the likelihood of an increased urinary albumin:creatinine ratio. This result suggests that total homocysteine and C-reactive protein may be acting by separate mechanistic pathways.

The Lescol Intervention Prevention Study (LIPS) was the first randomized trial to show a significant reduction in the risk of cardiac events in patients started on fluvastatin immediately after a successful percutaneous coronary intervention. The benefit was independent of baseline cholesterol levels. The results suggest that all patients should be discharged on lipid-lowering therapy after a percutaneous coronary intervention. Currently, this is seldom done.