Acute Myocardial Infarction, Subclavian Vein Thrombosis, and Pulmonary Embolism Secondary to COVID-19-A Case Report.

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The majority of infected patients develop the clinical picture of a respiratory disease, although some may develop various complications, such as arterial or venous thrombosis. The clinical case presented herein is a rare example of sequential development and combination of acute myocardial infarction, subclavian vein thrombosis (Paget Schroetter syndrome), and pulmonary embolism in the same patient after COVID-19. Case presentation: A 57-year-old man with a 10-day history of a SARS-CoV-2 infection was hospitalized with a clinical, electrocardiographic, and laboratory constellation of an acute inferior-lateral myocardial infarction. He was treated invasively and had one stent implanted. Three days after implantation, the patient developed shortness of breath and palpitation on the background of a swollen and painful right hand. The signs of acute right-sided heart strain observed on the electrocardiogram and the elevated D-dimer levels strongly suggested pulmonary embolism. A Doppler ultrasound and invasive evaluation demonstrated thrombosis of the right subclavian vein. The patient was administered pharmacomechanical and systemic thrombolysis and heparin infusion. Revascularization was achieved 24 h later via successful balloon dilatation of the occluded vessel. Conclusion: Thrombotic complications of COVID-19 can develop in a significant proportion of patients. Concomitant manifestation of these complications in the same patient is extremely rare, presenting at the same time, quite a therapeutic challenge to clinicians due to the need for invasive techniques and simultaneous administration of dual antiaggregant therapy combined with an anticoagulant treatment. Such a combined treatment increases the hemorrhagic risk and requires a serious accumulation of data for the purpose of a long-term antithrombotic prophylaxis in patients with such pathology.

Clinical features of generalized lipodystrophy in Turkey: A cohort analysis.

AIM: To describe the Turkish generalized lipodystrophy (GL) cohort with the frequency of each complication and the death rate during the period of the follow-up. METHODS: This study reports on 72 patients with GL (47 families) registered at different centres in Turkey that cover all regions of the country. The mean ± SD follow-up was 86 ± 78 months. RESULTS: The Kaplan-Meier estimate of the median time to diagnosis of diabetes and/or prediabetes was 16 years. Hyperglycaemia was not controlled in 37 of 45 patients (82.2%) with diabetes. Hypertriglyceridaemia developed in 65 patients (90.3%). The Kaplan-Meier estimate of the median time to diagnosis of hypertriglyceridaemia was 14 years. Hypertriglyceridaemia was severe (≥ 500 mg/dl) in 38 patients (52.8%). Seven (9.7%) patients suffered from pancreatitis. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of the median time to diagnosis of hepatic steatosis was 15 years. Liver disease progressed to cirrhosis in nine patients (12.5%). Liver disease was more severe in congenital lipodystrophy type 2 (CGL2). Proteinuric chronic kidney disease (CKD) developed in 32 patients (44.4%) and cardiac disease in 23 patients (31.9%). Kaplan-Meier estimates of the median time to diagnosis of CKD and cardiac disease were 25 and 45 years, respectively. Females appeared to have a more severe metabolic disease, with an earlier onset of metabolic abnormalities. Ten patients died during the follow-up period. Causes of death were end-stage renal disease, sepsis (because of recurrent intestinal perforations, coronavirus disease, diabetic foot infection and following coronary artery bypass graft surgery), myocardial infarction, heart failure because of dilated cardiomyopathy, stroke, liver complications and angiosarcoma. CONCLUSIONS: Standard treatment approaches have only a limited impact and do not prevent the development of severe metabolic abnormalities and early onset of organ complications in GL.

Mechanical Complication of Acute Myocardial Infarction Secondary to COVID-19 Disease.

The aggressive inflammatory response to COVID-19 can result in airway damage, respiratory failure, cardiac injury, and multiorgan failure, which lead to death in susceptible patients. Cardiac injury and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) secondary to COVID-19 disease can lead to hospitalization, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death. When serious collateral damage from tissue necrosis or bleeding occurs, mechanical complications of myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock can ensue. While prompt reperfusion therapies have decreased the incidence of these serious complications, patients who present late following the initial infarct are at increased for mechanical complications, cardiogenic shock, and death. The health outcomes for patients with mechanical complications are dismal if not recognized and treated promptly. Even if they survive serious pump failure, their CICU stay is often prolonged, and their index hospitalization and follow-up visits may consume significant resources and impact the health care system.

Pneumonia-Induced Inflammation, Resolution and Cardiovascular Disease: Causes, Consequences and Clinical Opportunities.

Pneumonia is inflammation in the lungs, which is usually caused by an infection. The symptoms of pneumonia can vary from mild to life-threatening, where severe illness is often observed in vulnerable populations like children, older adults, and those with preexisting health conditions. Vaccines have greatly reduced the burden of some of the most common causes of pneumonia, and the use of antimicrobials has greatly improved the survival to this infection. However, pneumonia survivors do not return to their preinfection health trajectories but instead experience an accelerated health decline with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The mechanisms of this association are not well understood, but a persistent dysregulated inflammatory response post-pneumonia appears to play a central role. It is proposed that the inflammatory response during pneumonia is left unregulated and exacerbates atherosclerotic vascular disease, which ultimately leads to adverse cardiac events such as myocardial infarction. For this reason, there is a need to better understand the inflammatory cross talk between the lungs and the heart during and after pneumonia to develop therapeutics that focus on preventing pneumonia-associated cardiovascular events. This review will provide an overview of the known mechanisms of inflammation triggered during pneumonia and their relevance to the increased cardiovascular risk that follows this infection. We will also discuss opportunities for new clinical approaches leveraging strategies to promote inflammatory resolution pathways as a novel therapeutic target to reduce the risk of cardiac events post-pneumonia.

The potential role of SARS-CoV-2 infection in acute coronary syndrome and type 2 myocardial infarction (T2MI): Intertwining spread.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It has been shown that SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced inflammatory and oxidative stress and associated endothelial dysfunction may lead to the development of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Therefore, this review aimed to ascertain the link between severe SARS-CoV-2 infection and ACS. ACS is a spectrum of acute myocardial ischemia due to a sudden decrease in coronary blood flow, ranging from unstable angina to myocardial infarction (MI). Primary or type 1 MI (T1MI) is mainly caused by coronary plaque rupture and/or erosion with subsequent occlusive thrombosis. Secondary or type 2 MI (T2MI) is due to cardiac and systemic disorders without acute coronary atherothrombotic disruption. Acute SARS-CoV-2 infection is linked with the development of nonobstructive coronary disorders such as coronary vasospasm, dilated cardiomyopathy, myocardial fibrosis, and myocarditis. Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with systemic inflammation that might affect coronary atherosclerotic plaque stability through augmentation of cardiac preload and afterload. Nevertheless, major coronary vessels with atherosclerotic plaques develop minor inflammation during COVID-19 since coronary arteries are not initially and primarily targeted by SARS-CoV-2 due to low expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in coronary vessels. In conclusion, SARS-CoV-2 infection through hypercytokinemia, direct cardiomyocyte injury, and dysregulation of the renin-angiotensin system may aggravate underlying ACS or cause new-onset T2MI. As well, arrhythmias induced by anti-COVID-19 medications could worsen underlying ACS.

Rationale and design of the Effects of intensive Systolic blood Pressure lowering treatment in reducing RIsk of vascular evenTs (ESPRIT): A multicenter open-label randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Lowering blood pressure (BP) effectively reduces the risk of cardiovascular (CV) events in high CV risk individuals. The optimal target of BP lowering among high CV risk individuals remains unclear. METHODS: The Effects of intensive Systolic blood Pressure lowering treatment in reducing RIsk of vascular evenTs (ESPRIT) trial is a multi-center, open-label, randomized controlled trial to compare the efficacy and safety of intensive BP lowering strategy (Systolic BP target <120 mm Hg) and standard BP lowering strategy (Systolic BP target <140 mm Hg). Participants aged at least 50 years old with baseline systolic BP within 130 to 180 mm Hg at high CV risk, defined by established CV diseases or 2 major CV risk factors, were enrolled. The primary outcome is a composite CV outcome of myocardial infarction, coronary or non-coronary revascularization, hospitalization or emergency department visit from new-onset heart failure or acute decompensated heart failure, stroke, or death from CV diseases. Secondary outcomes include components of the primary composite outcome, all-cause death, a composite of the primary outcome or all-cause death, kidney outcomes, as well as cognitive outcomes. RESULTS: Despite of the interruption of COVID-19 outbreak, the ESPRIT trial successfully enrolled and randomized 11,255 participants from 116 hospitals or primary health care institutions. The mean age of the participants was 64.6 (standard deviation [SD], 7.1) years, 4,650 (41.3%) were women. Among them 28.9%, 26.9% and 38.7% had coronary heart disease, prior stroke and diabetes mellitus, respectively. COVID-19 outbreak affected the BP lowering titration process of the trial, and delayed the reach of BP target. CONCLUSIONS: The ESPRIT trial will address the important question on the optimal BP lowering target for individuals with high CV risk, and generate high quality evidence for treating millions of patients from East Asian countries.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement vs. Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement for Long-Term Mortality Due to Stroke and Myocardial Infarction: A Meta-Analysis during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background and objectives: One of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in people over the age of 50 is stroke. The acceptance of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) as a treatment option for severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) has increased as a result of numerous randomized clinical trials comparing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and TAVR in high- and intermediate-risk patients, showing comparable clinical outcomes and valve hemodynamics. Materials and Methods: An electronic search of Medline, Google Scholar and Cochrane Central was carried out from their inception to 28 September 2022 without any language restrictions. Results: Our meta-analysis demonstrated that, as compared with SAVR, TAVR was not linked with a lower stroke ratio or stroke mortality. It is clear from this that the SAVR intervention techniques applied in the six studies were successful in reducing cardiogenic consequences over time. Conclusions: A significantly decreased rate of mortality from cardiogenic causes was associated with SAVR. Additionally, when TAVR and SAVR were compared for stroke mortality, the results were nonsignificant with a p value of 0.57, indicating that none of these procedures could decrease stroke-related mortality.

Coronary artery aneurysm presenting as ST-elevation myocardial infarction in a man with coronavirus disease 2019: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Patients with underlying cardiovascular risk factors have worse clinical outcomes when they have coronavirus disease. In addition, a reduced workload of cardiovascular emergencies has been reported during the coronavirus pandemic due to patients' reluctance to attend hospitals for fear of contracting the disease. Regional health service reorganization, separating hospitals into coronavirus and non-coronavirus can mitigate this effect. However, the effectiveness of this approach on outcomes and patient satisfaction is unknown. CASE PRESENTATION: A 35-year-old Pakistani man with acute ST myocardial infarction was found to have thrombosis of the right coronary artery aneurysm and concomitant coronavirus disease. He had percutaneous coronary angiography and thrombus removal, and was transferred to a coronavirus hospital for the management of the infection. Due to the large size of the aneurysm, he was considered for surgical intervention. Following discharge from the coronavirus hospital and a period of stay at the isolation center, he failed to keep his cardiology follow-up appointment. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates an unusual cause of myocardial infarction in a patient with coronavirus infection whose care may have been adversely affected by the healthcare system restructuring.

Increased risk of acute myocardial infarction after COVID-19 recovery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have analyzed the incidence and the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) during the post-acute phase of COVID-19 infection. OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence and risk of AMI in COVID-19 survivors after SARS-CoV-2 infection by a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available data. METHODS: Data were obtained searching MEDLINE and Scopus for all studies published at any time up to September 1, 2022 and reporting the risk of incident AMI in patients recovered from COVID-19 infection. AMI risk was evaluated using the Mantel-Haenszel random effects models with Hazard ratio (HR) as the effect measure with 95% confidence interval (CI) while heterogeneity was assessed using Higgins and Thomson I2 statistic. RESULTS: Among 2765 articles obtained by our search strategy, four studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria for a total of 20,875,843 patients (mean age 56.1 years, 59.1% males). Of them, 1,244,604 had COVID-19 infection. Over a mean follow-up of 8.5 months, among COVID-19 recovered patients AMI occurred in 3.5 cases per 1.000 individuals compared to 2.02 cases per 1.000 individuals in the control cohort, defined as those who did not experience COVID-19 infection in the same period). COVID-19 patients showed an increased risk of incident AMI (HR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.65-2.26, p < 0.0001, I2 = 83.5%). Meta-regression analysis demonstrated that the risk of AMI was directly associated with age (p = 0.01) and male gender (p = 0.001), while an indirect relationship was observed when the length of follow-up was utilized as moderator (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: COVID-19 recovered patients had an increased risk of AMI.

Risk for Myocardial Infarction, Stroke, and Pulmonary Embolism Following COVID-19 Vaccines in Adults Younger Than 75 Years in France.

BACKGROUND: The BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine has been shown to be safe with regard to risk for severe cardiovascular events (such as myocardial infarction [MI], pulmonary embolism [PE], and stroke) in persons aged 75 years or older. Less is known about the safety of other COVID-19 vaccines or outcomes in younger populations. OBJECTIVE: To assess short-term risk for severe cardiovascular events (excluding myocarditis and pericarditis) after COVID-19 vaccination in France's 46.5 million adults younger than 75 years. DESIGN: Self-controlled case series method adapted to event-dependent exposure and high event-related mortality. SETTING: France, 27 December 2020 to 20 July 2021. PATIENTS: All adults younger than 75 years hospitalized for PE, acute MI, hemorrhagic stroke, or ischemic stroke (n = 73 325 total events). MEASUREMENTS: Linkage between the French National Health Data System and COVID-19 vaccine databases enabled identification of hospitalizations for cardiovascular events (MI, PE, or stroke) and receipt of a first or second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech, mRNA-1273 (Moderna), Ad26.COV2.S (Janssen), or ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (Oxford-AstraZeneca) vaccine. The relative incidence (RI) of each cardiovascular event was estimated in the 3 weeks after vaccination compared with other periods, with adjustment for temporality (7-day periods). RESULTS: No association was found between the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine and severe cardiovascular events. The first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was associated with acute MI and PE in the second week after vaccination (RI, 1.29 [95% CI, 1.11 to 1.51] and 1.41 [CI, 1.13 to 1.75], respectively). An association with MI in the second week after a single dose of the Janssen vaccine could not be ruled out (RI, 1.75 [CI, 1.16 to 2.62]). LIMITATIONS: It was not possible to ascertain the relative timing of injection and cardiovascular events on the day of vaccination. Outpatient deaths related to cardiovascular events were not included. CONCLUSION: In persons aged 18 to 74 years, adenoviral-based vaccines may be associated with increased incidence of MI and PE. No association between mRNA-based vaccines and the cardiovascular events studied was observed. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: None.

Influenza Vaccination for Cardiovascular Prevention: Further Insights from the IAMI Trial and an Updated Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Influenza infection is a significant, well-established cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CV mortality. Influenza vaccination has been shown to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and CV mortality. Therefore, major society guidelines have given a strong recommendation for its use in patients with established CVD or high risk for CVD. Nevertheless, influenza vaccination remains underutilized. Historically, influenza vaccination is administered to stable outpatients. Until recently, the safety and efficacy of influenza vaccination among patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) had not been established. RECENT FINDINGS: The recently published Influenza Vaccination after Myocardial Infarction (IAMI) trial showed that influenza vaccination within 72 h of hospitalization for MI led to a significant 28% reduction in MACE and a 41% reduction in CV mortality, without any excess in serious adverse events. Additionally, we newly performed an updated meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) including IAMI and the recent Influenza Vaccine to Prevent Adverse Vascular Events (IVVE) trial. In pooled analysis of 8 RCTs with a total of 14,420 patients, influenza vaccine, as compared with control/placebo, was associated with significantly lower risk of MACE at follow-up [RR 0.75 (95%CI 0.57-0.97), I2 56%]. The recent IAMI trial showed that influenza vaccination in patients with recent MI is safe and efficacious at reducing CV morbidity and mortality. Our updated meta-analysis confirms a 25% reduction in MACE. The influenza vaccine should be strongly encouraged in all patients with CVD and incorporated as an essential facet of post-MI care and secondary CVD prevention.

Myocardial Infarction Following COVID-19 Vaccine Administration: Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc?

Vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the safest and most effective strategy for controlling the pandemic. However, some cases of acute cardiac events following vaccine administration have been reported, including myocarditis and myocardial infarction (MI). While post-vaccine myocarditis has been widely discussed, information about post-vaccine MI is scarce and heterogenous, often lacking in histopathological and pathophysiological details. We hereby present five cases (four men, mean age 64 years, range 50-76) of sudden death secondary to MI and tightly temporally related to COVID-19 vaccination. In each case, comprehensive macro- and microscopic pathological analyses were performed, including post-mortem cardiac magnetic resonance, to ascertain the cause of death. To investigate the pathophysiological determinants of MI, toxicological and tryptase analyses were performed, yielding negative results, while the absence of anti-platelet factor 4 antibodies ruled out vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia. Finally, genetic testing disclosed that all subjects were carriers of at least one pro-thrombotic mutation. Although the presented cases do not allow us to establish any causative relation, they should foster further research to investigate the possible link between COVID-19 vaccination, pro-thrombotic genotypes, and acute cardiovascular events.