Recent Developments in the Evaluation and Management of Cardiorenal Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review.

Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) is increasingly recognized diagnostic entity associated with high morbidity and mortality among acutely ill heart failure (HF) patients with acute and/ or chronic kidney diseases (CKD). While traditionally viewed as a state of decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) due to decreased renal perfusion, mainly due to therapeutic interventions to relieve congestive in HF, Recent insights into the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms of CRS led to a broader definition and further classification of CRS into five distinct types. In this comprehensive review, we discuss the classification of CRS, highlighting the underlying common pathogenetic pathways of heart failure and kidney injury, including increased congestion, neurohormonal dysregulation, oxidative stress as well as inflammation, and cytokine storm that are particularly evident in COVID-19 patients with multiorgan failure and also in those with other disorders including sepsis, systemic lupus erythematosus and amyloidosis. In this review we also present the recent advances in the diagnostic strategies of CRS including cardiac and renal biomarkers as well as advanced cardiac and renal imaging techniques that are available to aid in the diagnosis as well as in the prognostication of this disorder. Finally, we discuss the various therapeutic options available to-date, including fluid optimization, hemofiltration, renal replacement therapy as well as the role of SGLT2 inhibitors in light of recent data from RCTs. It is important to note that, CRS population are either excluded or underrepresented, at best, in major RCTs and therefore, therapeutic recommendations are largely extrapolated from FH and CKD clinical trials.

In-hospital mortality of COVID-19 patients hospitalized with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: A meta-analysis.

Introduction: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events including arteriovenous thrombosis, myocarditis and acute myocardial injury. Relevant literature to date has reported widely varying estimates of mortality, ranging from approximately 2 to 11 times higher odds of mortality in COVID-19-positive STEMI (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) patients. Hence, we conducted this meta-analysis to resolve these inconsistencies and assess the impact of COVID-19 infection on mortality and other clinical outcomes in patients presenting with STEMI. Methods: This meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021297458) and performed according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. PubMed and Embase were searched from inception to November 2021 (updated on April 2022) using a search strategy consisting of terms relating to COVID-19, STEMI, and mortality. Results: We identified 435 studies through our initial search. After screening according to our eligibility criteria, a total of 11 studies were included. Compared with the non-COVID-19 STEMI patients, the in-hospital mortality rate was higher in COVID-19-positive STEMI patients. Similarly, the risk of cardiogenic shock was higher in the COVID-19-positive patients. Length of hospital stay was longer in STEMI patients with COVID-19. Conclusions: Our study highlights the necessity for early evaluation of COVID-19 status in all STEMI patients followed by risk stratification, prompt reperfusion and more aggressive management of COVID-19-positive patients. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms behind poorer prognosis in such patients.

Epidemiology, clinical ramifications, and cellular pathogenesis of COVID-19 mRNA-vaccination-induced adverse cardiovascular outcomes: A state-of-the-heart review.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has overwhelming healthcare systems globally. To date, a myriad of therapeutic regimens has been employed in an attempt to curb the ramifications of a severe COVID-19 infection. Amidst the ongoing pandemic, the advent and efficacious uptake of COVID-19 vaccination has significantly reduced disease-related hospitalizations and mortality. Nevertheless, many side-effects are being reported after COVID-19 vaccinations and myocarditis is the most commonly reported sequelae post vaccination. Majority of these diseases are associated with COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Various studies have established a temporal relationship between these complications, yet the causality and the underlying pathogenesis remain hypothetical. In this review, we aim to critically appraise the available literature regarding the cardiovascular side effects of the various mRNA vaccines and the associated pathophysiology.

In-hospital mortality of COVID-19 patients hospitalized with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: A meta-analysis (preprint)

Background: Previous meta-analyses have focused on investigating the impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on outcomes in STEMI patients. We aimed to examine the outcomes and prognosis following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) among those with COVID-19 compared with those without COVID-19. Methods: PubMed and Embase were searched from inception till November 2021. We included only those studies that compared our primary outcome, in-hospital mortality, between COVID-19-positive and COVID-19-negative cohorts with primarily out-of-hospital STEMI. We conducted a random-effects meta-analysis to investigate the association between COVID-19 infection and mortality as well as other clinical outcomes. Results: A total of 11 observational studies were included in our meta-analysis. Most of the studies were of sufficiently high quality. Our findings show that a diagnosis of COVID-19 in STEMI patients is associated with a large increase in mortality (OR 4.07;95% CI: 2.48-6.69) and poorer clinical outcomes but with no increase in door-to-balloon (D2B) time (MD 9.45 minutes, 95% CI: -1.25 to 20.15 minutes). Conclusions: In this meta-analysis, a diagnosis of COVID-19 was found to greatly increase the risk of mortality. An early assessment of COVID-19 status in STEMI patients is needed followed by urgent management.

Association of Social Gaming with Well-Being (Escape COVID-19): A Sentiment Analysis.

BACKGROUND: During the 2020-2021 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown, social activities were limited by the government-recommended social distancing guidelines, leading to an abundance of mental health issues. METHODS: We hypothesized that Twitter sentiment analysis may shed some light on Animal Crossing: New Horizons and its impact on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: We found that social gaming and social media may be used as tools to cope with stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Further research, including randomized study designs and prospective measurements of mental health outcomes related to social gaming behavior are required.

Simultaneous Left Ventricular Aneurysm and Ventricular Septal Rupture Complicating Delayed STEMI Presentation: A Case-Based Review of Post-MI Mechanical Complications Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there is an unprecedented increase in public avoidance of hospitals predominantly driven by fear of contracting the virus. Recent publications highlight a re-emergence of rare post-myocardial infarction complications. While mechanical complications are infrequent in the era of primary percutaneous coronary intervention, they are associated with high mortality rates. The concurrent occurrence of mechanical complications such as left ventricular aneurysm and ventricular septal rupture is an extremely rare entity. We hereby delineate a unique case of a 53-year-old Caucasian male who underwent successful concomitant closure of a ventricular septal rupture, left ventricular aneurysmectomy, and 3-vessel coronary artery bypass grafting. Due to a delayed initial presentation owing to the patient's fear of contracting COVID-19, the surgery was carried out 3 months after the myocardial infarction. His postoperative evaluation confirmed normal contractility of the left ventricle and complete closure of the ventricular septal rupture. Six months postoperatively, the patient continues to do well. We also present a literature review of the mechanical complications following delayed presentation of myocardial infarction amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This article illustrates that clinicians should remain cognizant of these extremely rare but potentially lethal collateral effects during the ongoing global public-health challenge. Furthermore, it highlights a significant concern regarding the delay in first medical contact due to the reluctance of patients to visit the hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 cardiovascular epidemiology, cellular pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and management.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a rapidly progressing global pandemic that may present with a variety of cardiac manifestations including, but not limited to, myocardial injury, myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, shock, thromboembolism, and cardiac arrest. These cardiovascular effects are worse in patients who have pre-existing cardiac conditions such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and coagulation abnormalities. Other predisposing risk factors include advanced age, immunocompromised state, and underlying systemic inflammatory conditions. Here we review the cellular pathophysiology, clinical manifestations and treatment modalities of the cardiac manifestations seen in patients with COVID-19.

Robotic-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention in a COVID-19 patient

Abstract Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is the biggest global health threat in the 21st century. We describe a case of a patient with suspected COVID-19 who needed urgent coronary artery interrogation, in which we utilized robotic assistance to minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and reduced personal protective equipment needed by the procedural team.