Contemporary trends in the management of aortic stenosis in the USA.

AIMS: To assess the contemporary trends in aortic stenosis (AS) interventions in the USA before and after the introduction of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). METHODS AND RESULTS: We utilized the National-Inpatient-Sample to assess temporal trends in the incidence, cost, and outcomes of AS interventions between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2016. During the study's period, AS interventions increased from 96 to 137 per 100 000 individuals > 60 years old, P < 0.001. In-hospital expenditure on AS interventions increased from $2.28 billion in 2003 to $4.33 in 2016 P < 0.001. Among patients who underwent aortic valve replacement, the proportion of TAVI increased from 11.9% in 2012 to 43.2% in 2016 (P < 0.001). Males and Hispanics had lower proportions of TAVI compared with females and White patients. Adjusted in-hospital mortality of isolated SAVR decreased from 5.4% in 2003 to 3.3% in 2016 (P < 0.001), whereas adjusted in-hospital mortality of TAVI decreased from 4.7% in 2012 to 2.2% in 2016, P < 0.001. The incidence of new dialysis, permanent pacemaker implantation, and blood transfusion decreased after both TAVI and SAVR between 2012 and 2016. However, the rate of post-operative stroke did not significantly decrease. Length of stay and cost of hospitalization decreased after both SAVR and TAVI, although the later remained higher with TAVI. Rates of non-home discharge decreased over time after TAVI but remained stable after isolated SAVR. CONCLUSION: This nationwide survey documents the increasing incidence of AS interventions, the rising cost of modern AS care, and the paradigm shift in aortic valve replacement practice in the USA.

The Feasibility and Safety of Same-Day Discharge for All Comers after Elective Percutaneous Coronary Interventions.

BACKGROUND: The safety of same day discharge (SDD) after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) has been demonstrated in several studies. However, SDD was only allowed in patients meeting strict criteria. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of SDD following elective-PCI in all comers. METHODS: In 2012, we implemented a strategy of SDD for all elective PCI (no exclusion) but admissions were allowed at the discretion of the treating physician. We assessed the feasibility and safety of this approach in consecutive patients who underwent elective PCI at WVU. RESULTS: Out of 3355 patients who underwent PCI between 2012 and 2016, 691 (21%) presented electively. Radial access was utilized in 480 (69.5%). Same day discharge was achieved in 539/691 (78%), and there was no difference between patients who had SDD and those who were admitted with regards to the 30-day major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (3.2% vs. 3.5% respectively, P = 0.195). Predictors of SDD failure were procedural complications (OR 12.08, 95%CI 2.20-57.8. P = 0.002), use of Glycoprotein IIB-IIIA inhibitors (OR 3.45, 95%CI 1.067-11.41, P = 0.039), femoral access (OR 2.067, 95%CI 1.25-3.419, p = 0.005), anemia (OR 1.80, 95%CI 1.06-3.04, P = 0.029), home distance ≥60 miles (OR 1.68, 95%CI 1.03-2.72, P = 0.037). CONCLUSION: SDD is feasible in the majority of all-comers after elective PCI, and is not associated with increase in adverse events at 30-days. Certain procedural and patient's characteristics predict SDD failure. If validated in prospective studies, these factors can possibly be integrated in a predictive tool to aid in triaging patients, post-elective PCI.

Surgical Thrombectomy for Pulmonary Embolism: Updated Performance Rates and Outcomes.

Treatments for pulmonary embolism are numerous and often complex. Current data on surgical thrombectomy are important but are not readily available. We studied the National Inpatient Sample to evaluate trends in the performance rates and outcomes of surgical thrombectomy in the United States from 2003 through 2014. We think that our findings have meaningful application to the triage and risk stratification of patients who have hemodynamically significant pulmonary embolism.

Perception of the Risk of Stroke and the Risks and Benefits of Oral Anticoagulation for Stroke Prevention in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the perception of the risk of stroke and the risks and benefits of oral anticoagulation (OAC) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with chronic AF who presented for an outpatient cardiology visit or were admitted to a noncritical care cardiology ward service from September 15 through December 20, 2017, were invited to participate in this survey. Participants were asked to estimate their stroke risk without OAC and bleeding risk with OAC using a quantitative risk scale. The reported values were compared with subjectively estimated risks derived from the CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores. Similarly, we compared patient perception of the stroke risk reduction afforded with OAC compared with what is reported in the literature. RESULTS: A total of 227 patients were included in the analysis. The mean ± SD CHA2DS2-VASc score was 4.3±1.6, and HAS-BLED score was 2.3±1.2. Atrial fibrillation was paroxysmal in 53.3% and persistent/permanent in 46.7%. There was a negligible correlation between patient perceived and estimated risk of stroke (r=0.07; P=.32), and bleeding (r=0.16; P=.02). Most patients overestimated their risks of stroke and bleeding: 120 patients (52.9%) perceived an annual stroke risk greater than 20%, and 115 (53.5%) perceived an annual bleeding risk with OAC greater than 10%. Most patients (n=204; 89.9%) perceived that OAC would reduce their annual stroke risk by at least 50%. CONCLUSION: Perceived risks of stroke and bleeding are markedly overestimated in most patients with AF. Further research is needed to discern the root causes and to identify effective methods of bridging this alarming disparity.

Contemporary outcomes of isolated bioprothestic mitral valve replacement for mitral regurgitation.

Background: Early experience with transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) highlighted several investigational challenges related to this novel therapy. Conclusive randomised clinical trials in the field may, therefore, be years ahead. In the interim, contemporary outcomes of isolated surgical bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement (MVR) can be used as a benchmark for the emerging TMVR therapies. Methods: We used the nationwide inpatient sample to examine recent trends and outcomes of surgical bioprosthetic MVR for mitral regurgitation (isolated and combined). Results: 21 007 patients who had bioprosthetic MVR between 2003 and 2014 were included. Of those, 30% had isolated MVR and 70% had concomitant cardiac surgical procedure(s). In patients who underwent isolated bioprothestic MVR, mean age was 68±13, and females were the majority (58.4%). Most of these procedures were performed at teaching institutions (71.3%) and during an elective admission (64%). In-hospital mortality improved during the study period (7.8% in 2003 to 4.7% in 2014, p trend=0.016). Postoperative morbidities were common; permanent pacemaker 11.7%, stroke 2.4%, new dialysis 4.9% and blood transfusion 41.6%. Mean length of stay was 13±12 days, and 27.2% of patients were discharged to an intermediate care of rehabilitation facility. Cost of hospitalisation was $62 443±50 997. Conclusions: Isolated bioprosthetic MVR for mitral regurgitation is performed infrequently but is associated with significant in-hospital morbidity and mortality and cost in contemporary practice. These data are useful as benchmarks for the evolving TMVR therapies.

Incidence and Outcomes of Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Patients Hospitalized with Decompensated Diabetes.

Single center studies suggested that non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in patients admitted with acute decompensated diabetes is associated with poor long-term prognosis. We hypothesize that acute decompensated diabetes is also associated with worse early morbidity and mortality in patients admitted with NSTEMI. Adult patients with a primary discharge diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) were identified in the national inpatient sample. We then assessed contemporary trends in the incidence and management patents of NSTEMI in patients admitted with DKA/HHS and compared in-hospital morbidity and mortality, resource utilization, and cost between DKA/HHS patients with and without NSTEMI. In 431,037 patients admitted with decompensated diabetes from 2003 to 2014, 13,069 (3.03%) suffered a NSTEMI during their hospitalization. Patients with NSTEMI were older and had higher prevalence of atherosclerotic and nonatherosclerotic comorbidities. After propensity score matching, NSTEMI was associated with a 60% increase in in-hospitalmortality (9.1% vs 5.5%; p < 0.001), higher incidences of stroke, acute kidney injury, blood transfusion, longer hospitalizations, and higher costs. A minority (35%) ofNSTEMI patients underwent invasive coronary assessment, and those had lower in-hospitalmortality compared with NSTEMI patients who did not undergo invasive assessment(3.3% vs 12.2%, adjusted OR 0.30, 95%CI 0.24 to 0.36, p < 0.001). About 3% of patients admitted with decompensated diabetes suffer a NSTEMI and those experience higher in-hospital morbidity and mortality, longer hospitalization, and higher cost.

Temporal Trends in the Outcomes of Dialysis Patients Admitted With Acute Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of contemporary data on the characteristics and outcomes of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in patients on maintenance dialysis. METHODS AND RESULTS: We used the nationwide inpatient sample to examine contemporary trends in the incidence, management patterns, and outcomes of AIS in dialysis patients. A total of 930 010 patients were admitted with AIS between 2003 and 2014, of whom 13 642 (1.5%) were on dialysis. Overall, the incidence of AIS among dialysis patients decreased significantly (Ptrend<0.001), while it remained stable in non-dialysis patients (Ptrend=0.78). Compared with non-dialysis patients, those on dialysis were younger (67±13 years versus 71±15 years, P<0.001), and had higher prevalence of major comorbidities. Black patients constituted 35.2% of dialysis patients admitted with AIS compared with 16.7% of patients in the non-dialysis group (P<0.001). After propensity score matching, in-hospital mortality was higher in the dialysis group (7.6% versus 5.2%, P<0.001), but this mortality gap narrowed overtime (Ptrend<0.001). Hemorrhagic conversion and gastrointestinal bleeding rates were similar, but blood transfusion was more common in the dialysis group. Rates of severe disability surrogates (tracheostomy, gastrostomy, mechanical ventilation and non-home discharge) were also similar in both groups. However, dialysis patients had longer hospitalizations, and accrued a 25% higher total cost of acute care. CONCLUSIONS: Dialysis patients have 8-folds higher incidence of AIS compared withnon-dialysis patients. They also have higher risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality, sepsis and blood transfusion, longer hospitalizations, and higher cost. There is a need to identify preventative strategies to reduce the risk of AIS in the dialysis population.

Burden of Atrial Fibrillation-Associated Ischemic Stroke in the United States.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate whether the excess morbidity and mortality of atrial fibrillation (AF)-related stroke persists in the contemporary era. BACKGROUND: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in patients with AF is associated with worse outcomes than in patients without AF. Stroke prevention strategies in patients with AF have improved over the last decade and AIS-related mortality overall has also declined. METHODS: Patients ≥18 years of age who were admitted with AIS between 2003 and 2014 were identified in the National Inpatient Sample. The study compared crude and propensity score-matched in-hospital morbidity and mortality, cost, length of stay, and discharge dispositions between patients with and without AF. RESULTS: A total of 930,010 patients were admitted with AIS, and 18.2% of these patients had AF. The prevalence of AF in these patients increased from 16.4% in 2003 to 20.4% in 2014, with the greatest increase observed in white and older patients. Propensity score matching attained 2 pairs of 125,203 patients with AIS with and without AF. In these matched cohorts, the mortality rate was higher in patients with AF (9.9% vs. 6.1%; p < 0.001). Ischemic stroke in patients with AF was also associated with higher incidences of acute kidney injury, bleeding and infectious complications, and severe disability. Hospital length of stay was significantly longer, and cost of care was 20% higher in patients with AF. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of AF in AIS patients continued to rise, particularly in white and older patients. Despite the improvement in AIS-related morality overall, the differential negative impact of AF on the morbidity, mortality, and cost of AIS was steady over the study's 12-year period.

Effect of Race on the Incidence of Aortic Stenosis and Outcomes of Aortic Valve Replacement in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of race on the incidence of aortic stenosis (AS) and utilization and outcomes of aortic valve replacement (AVR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients older than 60 years hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of AS and those who underwent AVR between 2003 and 2014 were included. Adjusted and unadjusted incidence of AS-related hospitalizations, utilization rates of AVR, in-hospital morbidity and mortality, and resource utilization was compared between whites and African Americans (AAs). RESULTS: Between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2014, the incidence of AS-related admissions increased from 13 (95% CI, 12.8-13.2) to 26 (95% CI, 25.7-26.4) cases per 100,000 patient-years in whites and from 3 (95% CI, 3.5-3.8) to 9.5 (95% CI, 9.4-9.8) cases per 100,000 patient-years in AAs (P<.001). The incidence density ratio decreased from 4.3 (95% CI, 2.27-6.6) in 2003 to 2.7 (95% CI, 1.1-3.8) in 2014. The ratio of AVR to AS-related admissions was 11.3% in whites and 6.7% in AAs (P<.001). Crude in-hospital mortality after AVR was higher in AAs (6.4% vs 4.7%; P<.001). However, after propensity score matching, in-hospital morality after isolated AVR was not significantly different between AAs and whites (4.7% vs 3.7%; P=.12). African Americans also had longer hospitalizations (12±12 days vs 10±9 days; P<.001), higher rates of nonhome discharge (32.1% vs 27.2%; P=.004), and higher cost of hospitalization ($55,631±$37,773 vs $52,521±$38,040; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: African Americans undergo AVR less than whites. The underlying etiology of this disparity is multifactorial, but may be related to a lower incidence of AS in AAs. Aortic valve replacement is associated with similar risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality but higher cost and longer hospitalizations in AAs than in whites.

Trends and predictors of implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation after sudden cardiac arrest: Insight from the national inpatient sample.

BACKGROUND: Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) has a class IA indication in survivors of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) provided no reversible cause is identified. We sought to determine trends and predictors of ICD implant in SCA patients from a national sample of the United States population. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data were gathered from National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from January 2003 to December 2014. All patients ≥18 years of age with a primary discharge diagnosis of SCA, ventricular fibrillation (VF), ventricular flutter, and ventricular tachycardia (VT) were included. Patients died during hospitalization, had a previous ICD implant, and with a reversible cause of SCA were excluded. Primary outcome of interest was rate of new ICD implant at discharge. Logistic regression analysis was then performed to determine predictors for ICD implantation. A total of 176,876 patients were identified to have SCA, VF, ventricular flutter, and VT. After applying exclusion criteria, we were left with 22,054 patients. Out of this, 6,908 (31%) patients were implanted with an ICD prior to discharge. There was a linear trend toward reduced ICD utilization over our study period (40% in 2003 vs 25% in 2014, P trend = 0.0004). Advanced age, black race, and chronic renal disease are independently associated with low ICD utilization. CONCLUSION: We found low trend of ICD implant in survivors of SCA without any reversible cause. There is a need to identify etiologies behind low ICD utilization in this vulnerable group who are at most risk for a subsequent SCA.

Comparative outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement in African American and Caucasian patients with severe aortic stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Racial disparities in cardiovascular care have been extensively investigated. The introduction of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) revolutionized the treatment of aortic stenosis (AS) in the last decade. Whether a racial disparity in the utilization and outcome of TAVR exists is unknown. METHODS: We utilized the nationwide inpatient sample (NIS) to compare utilization rates, and in-hospital outcomes of Caucasians and African American (AA) patients who underwent TAVR between August 2011 and December 2014. RESULTS: A total of 7,176 patients (6870 Caucasians, 95.7%) and (306 AAs, 4.3%) were included in this analysis. Among patients who underwent aortic valve replacement between 2011 and 2014, the rates of TAVR utilization increased from 0.32% to 7.6% in AAs and from 0.4% to 8.8% in Caucasians. In propensity-matched cohorts of patients (n = 300 Caucasians and n = 300 AAs), in-hospital mortality was similar (3.7% and 3.3%, respectively, P = 0.99). Also, rates of key complications including stroke, permanent pacemaker implantation (PPMI), vascular complications, acute kidney injury, new dialysis, blood transfusion, and tamponade were similar in both races. There was also no significant difference between Caucasians and AAs with regards to length of stay, cost of hospitalization, and intermediate care facility utilization. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in the utilization rates, in-hospital outcomes, and cost of TAVR between Caucasians and AA patients in contemporary US practice. Further comparative studies of surgical and TAVR in AAs and other racial minorities are warranted.

Contemporary Trends in the Use and Outcomes of Surgical Treatment of Tricuspid Regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: Tricuspid regurgitation (TR), if untreated, is associated with an adverse impact on long-term outcomes. In recent years, there has been an increasing enthusiasm about surgical and transcatheter treatment of patients with severe TR. We aim to evaluate the contemporary trends in the use and outcomes of tricuspid valve (TV) surgery for TR using the National Inpatient Sample. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2014, an estimated 45 477 patients underwent TV surgery for TR in the United States, of whom 15% had isolated TV surgery and 85% had TV surgery concomitant with other cardiac surgery. There was a temporal upward trend to treat sicker patients during the study period. Patients who underwent isolated TV repair or replacement had a distinctly different clinical risk profile than those patients who underwent TV surgery simultaneous with other surgery. Isolated TV replacement was associated with high in-hospital mortality (10.9%) and high rates of permanent pacemaker implantation (34.1%) and acute kidney injury requiring dialysis (5.5%). Similarly, isolated TV repair was also associated with high in-hospital mortality (8.1%) and significant rates of permanent pacemaker implantation (10.9%) and new dialysis (4.4%). Isolated TV repair and TV replacement were both associated with protracted hospitalizations and substantial cost. CONCLUSIONS: In contemporary practice, surgical treatment of TR remains underused and is associated with high operative morbidity and mortality, prolonged hospitalizations, and considerable cost.

Incidence and Outcomes of Myocardial Infarction in Patients Admitted With Acute Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Data on the incidence and outcomes of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicating acute ischemic stroke (AIS) are limited. We aim to evaluate the incidence, treatment patterns, and outcomes of AMI in patients with AIS using a nationwide database. METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample was used to identify patient with AIS between 2003 and 2014. Trends of incidence of AMI and its associated in-hospital mortality were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to evaluate predictors of AMI. The impact of AMI on in-hospital outcomes was assessed in a comparative analysis of propensity-matched groups of patients with and without AMI. RESULTS: Patients with AIS (n=864 043) were identified in the national inpatient sample, of whom 13 573 patients (1.6%) had an AMI (79.5% non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction and 20.5% ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction). In-hospital mortality was 21.4% and 7.1% in propensity-matched cohorts of patients with and without AMI, P<0.001. In-hospital length of stay and cost of care were 50% higher in the AMI group. In a multivariate logistical regression analysis, the strongest predictors of having AMI after AIS were older age, history of coronary artery disease, chronic renal insufficiency, undergoing mechanical thrombectomy, and rhythm and conduction abnormalities. In the AMI group, undergoing coronary angiography and undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention both strongly correlated with lower in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 0.34 [confidence interval, 0.23-0.51] and 0.26 [confidence interval, 0.20-0.34], respectively, P<0.001). However, these were only performed in 7.5% and 2% of patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: AMI complicating stroke carries a substantial in-hospital mortality and cost of care. Patients who underwent coronary angiography with or without intervention may have improved survival although it was only utilized in a minority of patients. Further studies needed to discern the ideal approach in AMI in patients with AIS.

Trends and Outcomes of Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease on Hemodialysis.

Hemodialysis (HD) patients with aortic stenosis are less likely to undergo aortic valve replacement (AVR) due to their excess perioperative mortality. We aimed to evaluate contemporary utilization and outcomes of combined and isolated AVR in HD patients. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was used to identify 142,046 patients who underwent AVR in 2005 to 2014, of whom 2,264 (1.6%) were on HD. Crude and adjusted in-hospital outcomes and costs were assessed in unmatched and propensity-matched cohorts of HD and non-HD patients, respectively. The utilization of AVR in HD patients increased significantly (p = 0.047), with a significant decrease in mortality (p = 0.013). Compared with patients not on HD, crude in-hospital mortality in HD patients was twice higher (11.8% vs 6.2%, p <0.0001). HD patients had more blood transfusion and a trend toward more strokes. Lengths of stay and hospital charges, and rates of nonhome discharges were also higher in the HD group. In the propensity-matched cohorts of HD versus non-HD patients, in-hospital mortality rates after AVR remained twofold higher in the HD group (8.1% vs 3.9%, p <0.001). Rates of blood transfusion, cardiac tamponade, length of stay, hospital charges, and nonhome discharges were also higher in HD patients. In conclusion, AVR utilization in HD patients increased and its associated mortality decreased over the last decade. However, AVR mortality in HD patients remained twofold higher compared with non-HD patients. Also, AVR in HD patients was associated with higher cost, longer hospitalizations, and more frequent nonhome discharges.

Sex Differences in the Utilization and Outcomes of Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement for Severe Aortic Stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Studies assessing the differential impact of sex on outcomes of aortic valve replacement (AVR) yielded conflicting results. We sought to investigate sex-related differences in AVR utilization, patient risk profile, and in-hospital outcomes using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. METHODS AND RESULTS: In total, 166 809 patients (63% male and 37% female) who underwent AVR between 2003 and 2014 were identified, and 48.5% had a concomitant cardiac surgery procedure. Compared with men, women were older and had more nonatherosclerotic comorbid conditions including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obstructive pulmonary disease, atrial fibrillation/flutter, and anemia but fewer incidences of coronary and peripheral arterial disease and prior sternotomies. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in women (5.6% versus 4%, P<0.001). Propensity matching was performed to assess the impact of sex on the outcomes of isolated AVR and yielded 28 237 matched pairs of male and female participants. In the propensity-matched groups, in-hospital mortality was higher in women (3.3% versus 2.9%, P<0.001). Along with vascular complications and blood transfusion (6% versus 5.6%, P=0.027 and 40.4% versus 33.9%, P<0.001, respectively). Rates of stroke, permanent pacemaker implantation, and acute kidney injury requiring dialysis were similar (2.4% versus 2.4%, P=0.99; 6% versus 6.3%, P=0.15; and 1.4% versus 1.3%, P=0.14, respectively). Length of stay median and interquartile range were both similar between groups (7±6 days). Rates of nonhome discharge were higher among women (27.9% versus 19.6%, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Women have worse in-hospital mortality following AVR compared with men. Coupled with the accumulating evidence suggesting higher magnitude of benefit of transcatheter AVR over AVR in women, women should perhaps be offered transcatheter AVR over AVR at a lower threshold than men.

Outcomes of Transcatheter Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Implantation for Aortic Stenosis in Patients With Hepatic Cirrhosis.

Current risk prediction tools for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) do not include variables associated with clinically significant hepatic disease. Accordingly, outcome data of TAVI or SAVR in patients with liver cirrhosis are limited. We sought to assess contemporary trends and outcomes of TAVI and SAVR in patients with liver cirrhosis using a national database. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was used to identify patients with liver cirrhosis who underwent TAVI or SAVR between 2003 and 2014. Outcomes of propensity-matched groups of patients undergoing TAVI or SAVR were assessed. The reported number of TAVI and SAVR procedures in patients with liver cirrhosis increased from 376 cases in 2003 to 1,095 cases in 2014. A total of 1,766 patients with liver cirrhosis who underwent TAVI (n = 174) or SAVR (n = 1,592) were included in the analysis. In-hospital mortality was higher in patients who underwent SAVR versus TAVI (20.2% vs 8%, p <0.001). Major adverse events were also more frequent after SAVR. Propensity matching attained 2 groups of 268 patients who underwent TAVI (n = 134) or SAVR (n = 134). Following propensity matching, in-hospital mortality remained higher in the SAVR group (18.7% vs 8.2%, p = 0.018), but major adverse events were not different between the 2 groups. Hospital length of stay was longer, and nonhome disposition rates were higher in the SAVR group. In conclusion, the number of reported TAVI and SAVR in patients with liver cirrhosis and aortic stenosis increased 3-folds between 2003 and 2014. In these patients, TAVI was associated with lower in-hospital mortality when compared with SAVR.

Outcomes of Transcatheter and Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients on Maintenance Dialysis.

BACKGROUND: The introduction of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) expanded definitive therapy of aortic stenosis to many high-risk patients, but it has not been fully evaluated in the dialysis population. We aimed to evaluate the current trend and in-hospital outcome of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and TAVR in the dialysis population. METHODS: Severe aortic stenosis patients on maintenance dialysis who underwent SAVR or TAVR in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from January 1, 2005, through December 31, 2014, were included in our comparative analysis. The trends of SAVR and TAVR were assessed. In-hospital mortality, rates of major adverse events, hospital length of stay, cost of care, and intermediate care facility utilization were compared between the 2 groups using both unadjusted and propensity-matched data. RESULTS: Utilization of aortic valve replacement in dialysis patients increased 3-fold; a total of 2531 dialysis patients who underwent either SAVR (n = 2264) or TAVR (n = 267) between 2005 and 2014 were identified. Propensity score matching yielded 197 matched pairs. After matching, a 2-fold increase in in-hospital mortality was found with SAVR compared with TAVR (13.7% vs 6.1%, P = .021). Patients who underwent TAVR had more permanent pacemaker implantation (13.2% vs 5.6%, P = .012) but less blood transfusion (43.7% vs 56.8%, P = .02). Rates of other key morbidities were similar. Hospital length of stay (19 ± 16 vs 11 ± 11 days, P <.001) and non-home discharges (44.7% vs 31.5%, P = .002) were significantly higher with SAVR. Cost of hospitalization was 25% less with TAVR. CONCLUSION: In patients on maintenance dialysis, TAVR is associated with lower hospital mortality, resource utilization, and cost in comparison with SAVR.

Intracardiac versus transesophageal echocardiography to guide transcatheter closure of interatrial communications: Nationwide trend and comparative analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess current temporal trends in utilization of ICE versus TEE guided closure of interatrial communications, and to compare periprocedural complications and resource utilization between the two imaging modalities. BACKGROUND: While transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has historically been used to guide percutaneous structural heart interventions, intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) is being increasingly utilized to guide many of these procedures such as closure of interatrial communications. METHODS: Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, all patients aged >18 years, who underwent ASD or PFO closure with either ICE or TEE guidance between 2003 and 2014 were included. Comparative analysis of outcomes and resource utilization was performed using a propensity score-matching model. RESULTS: ICE guidance for interatrial communication closure increased from 9.7% in 2003 to 50.6% in 2014. In the matched model, the primary endpoint of major adverse cardiovascular events occurred less frequently in the ICE group versus the TEE group (11.1% vs 14.3%, respectively, P = 0.008), mainly driven by less vascular complications in the ICE group (0.5% vs 1.3%, P = 0.045). Length of stay was shorter in the ICE group (3 ± 4 vs 4 ± 4 days, P < 0.0001). Cost was similar in the two groups 18 454 ± 17 035$ in the TEE group vs 18 278 ± 15 780$ in the ICE group (P = 0.75). CONCLUSIONS: Intracardiac echocardiogram utilization to guide closure of interatrial communications has plateaued after a rapid rise throughout the 2000s. When utilized to guide interatrial communication closure procedure, ICE is as safe as TEE and does not increase cost or prolonged hospitalizations.