Hybrid off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery and transaortic transcatheter aortic valve replacement: Literature review of a feasible bailout for patients with complex coronary anatomy and poor femoral access.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF STUDY: The treatment of inoperable patients with concomitant complex coronary artery disease and severe aortic stenosis unsuitable for conventional transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) poses a significant challenge. Effective treatment is even more difficult in those patients with complex coronary anatomy unamenable to percutaneous revascularization. Our manuscript aims to enlighten clinicians on the management of this complex patient. METHODS: We conducted a contemporary review of the literature of combined off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting and transaortic TAVR in this patient population and describe our own successful experience in an inoperable patient with a porcelain aorta. RESULTS: Including our report, 17 cases have been described in the literature. All patients had multiple comorbidities with elevated STS (range, 2.6-25; 6%) and EuroScore I (range, 13.7-83; 7%) and were not considered candidates for conventional CABG and SAVR. Most had severe, complex, multivessel CAD deemed unsuitable for PCI and structural findings precluding them from other standard percutaneous or alternative TAVR approaches (transfemoral/subclavian/transcaval/transapical). Out of the 17 cases, 5 (29%) had porcelain aortas. Most reports specify the decision-making process is driven by a multidisciplinary team. CONCLUSION: This report demonstrates that hybrid off-pump CABG surgery and transaortic TAVR can be successfully performed in high-risk patients with porcelain aortas who are not candidates for percutaneous methods, on-pump revascularization, transfemoral, subclavian, or transcaval valve implantations. It also highlights that careful study of the CTA scan could predict adequate access for a transaortic approach even in the presence of porcelain aorta in selected patients.

Tricuspid valve incompetence following implantation of ventricular leads.

Most cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) require a ventricular lead to be placed across the tricuspid valve. Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is an understudied clinical complication of right ventricular lead implantation and its clinical significance is unknown. We review the incidence, predictors, and current management of TR as a complication of ventricular lead implantation. Emerging technologies, including leadless pacing devices and subcutaneous systems, offer the benefit of little or none tricuspid valve disruption.

Surface 12 lead electrocardiogram recordings using smart phone technology.

IMPORTANCE: AliveCor ECG is an FDA approved ambulatory cardiac rhythm monitor that records a single channel (lead I) ECG rhythm strip using an iPhone. In the past few years, the use of smartphones and tablets with health related applications has significantly proliferated. OBJECTIVE: In this initial feasibility trial, we attempted to reproduce the 12 lead ECG using the bipolar arrangement of the AliveCor monitor coupled to smart phone technology. METHODS: We used the AliveCor heart monitor coupled with an iPhone cellular phone and the AliveECG application (APP) in 5 individuals. RESULTS: In our 5 individuals, recordings from both a standard 12 lead ECG and the AliveCor generated 12 lead ECG had the same interpretation. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the feasibility of creating a 12 lead ECG with a smart phone. The validity of the recordings would seem to suggest that this technology could become an important useful tool for clinical use. This new hand held smart phone 12 lead ECG recorder needs further development and validation.

Applying the diamond criteria could improve utilization of stress echocardiography for patients who present to the emergency department with low-risk chest pain.

We identified all patients with age 21 years and older, without a history of obstructive coronary artery disease, who presented to the emergency department with chest pain, and were admitted for cardiac observation followed by stress echocardiography during a 1-year period. The positive predictive value of stress echocardiography and cardiovascular outcomes were compared based on patients' Diamond chest pain classification. In patients with typical chest pain, who accounted for 8.7% (44/503) of the total cohort, the positive predictive value of stress echocardiography was 75% compared with 0% for all other subgroups (P = 0.007). Six patients (14%) with typical chest pain went on to have coronary revascularization compared with 0% for all other subgroups (P < 0.001). No patient in any subgroup died or was readmitted with a myocardial infarction in 30 days. Applying the Diamond criteria could improve utilization of stress echocardiography for patients with low-risk chest pain in the emergency department.

Clinical efficacy of dofetilide for the treatment of atrial tachyarrhythmias in adults with congenital heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Atrial tachyarrhythmias (AT) including atrial fibrillation (AF), atrial flutter (AFL), and atrial tachycardia represent a clinical challenge in the adult with congenital heart disease (CHD). Dofetilide (D) is a rapidly activating delayed rectifier potassium channel (IKr) blocker effective in pharmacological conversion and maintenance of normal sinus rhythm in patients with AF and AFL. There is limited knowledge regarding the role of D in adults with CHD. METHODS: Safety and efficacy of D was evaluated in a consecutive group of thirteen adult patients (age 40 ± 11; six women) with CHD and refractory AT. RESULTS: Ten patients had persistent (four AFL, one AF, and five atrial tachycardia) and three paroxysmal (one AF and two atrial tachycardia) AT. All patients were symptomatic during tachycardia, 12 patients had previously failed 2 ± 1 antiarrhythmic drugs. Mean systemic ventricular ejection fraction was 55 ± 9%; baseline QRS complex duration was 129 ± 45 ms (>120 ms in six patients). Patients were followed on D for 33 ± 39 months (median 16). Among 10 patients with persistent AT, seven patients (70%) pharmacologically converted to sinus rhythm on D and three patients (30%) required direct current cardioversion. Two patients (15.4%) experienced complete arrhythmia suppression, and seven (53.8%) experienced significant clinical improvement with sporadic recurrences; average time to recurrence was 5.5 ± 3.5 months. One patient developed torsade de pointes during loading, and the drug was discontinued. D was discontinued in five (38.5%) other patients due to recurrence of AT (n = 4) and renal failure (n = 1). Corrected QT interval (QTc) increased from 452 ± 61 to 480 ± 49 ms (P = .04) and corrected JT interval (JTc) from 323 ± 39 to 341 ± 33 ms (P = .09). CONCLUSIONS: D should be considered a pharmacologic alternative when adult patients with CHD develop AT. D does not depress conduction, sinus node, or ventricular function but needs close monitoring for potential ventricular pro-arrhythmia.

Clinical significance of increased tricuspid valve incompetence following implantation of ventricular leads.

PURPOSE: Cardiac rhythm management devices (CRMD) require a ventricular lead to be placed across the tricuspid valve. Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is an under-recognized clinical complication of lead implantation and its clinical significance is unknown. We studied the incidence of hospitalizations for congestive heart failure (CHF) exacerbation among patients with worsening TR after ventricular lead implantation. METHODS: We reviewed 148 patients (age 68 ± 15) that received a CRMD. TR and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) measured by Doppler echocardiography before and after CRMD implantation were analyzed. Hospitalizations for CHF exacerbation post-implantation were counted. RESULTS: Follow-up was 32 ± 14 months. Ninety-nine (67%) patients had no change, 24 (16%) slight, and 9 (6%) significant increase in TR after CRMD implantation, while 13 (9%) patients had slight and 3 (2%) significant improvement. Patients with a significant increase in TR had higher incidence of hospitalizations (1.7 ± 0.5) compared to patients with slight (0.8 ± 1; p = 0.006) or no increase (0.5 ± 1; p = 0.0002) in TR. Patients with significant increase in TR had a greater change in PASP (25 mmHg; p = 0.002) after device implantation compared to those with a slight (10 mmHg; p = 0.002) or no increase (0.7 mmHg; p = 0.17). CONCLUSION: Increased TR following CRMD implantation is relatively common (33%) and correlated with subsequent risk of hospitalization for heart failure. A preventive strategy and close monitoring for development or worsening of CHF after CRMD implantation may help prevent hospital admissions.

Isolated left ventricular noncompaction causing stroke in a 30-year-old woman: case report and literature review.

Isolated left ventricular noncompaction is a rare form of cardiomyopathy characterized by prominent left ventricular trabeculations and intertrabecular recesses. The typical clinical manifestations are severe systolic and diastolic dysfunction, conduction abnormalities, and cardiac embolic events theorized to result from thrombus formation within the intertrabecular recesses. Evidence-based recommendations for preventing thromboembolic events in isolated left ventricular noncompaction have not been established. We report the case of a woman who, at 10 years of age, had been diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy without systolic dysfunction. At age 30, she presented with left hemiparesis consequent to a large right-hemispheric ischemic stroke, and she was diagnosed with isolated left ventricular noncompaction. In addition to discussing the patient's case, we review the medical literature that pertains to isolated left ventricular noncompaction.

Dofetilide reduces the frequency of ventricular arrhythmias and implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapies.

BACKGROUND: Patients with an implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and ventricular arrhythmias leading to ICD therapies have poor clinical outcomes and quality of life. Antiarrhythmic agents and catheter ablation are needed to control these arrhythmias. Dofetilide has only been approved for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. The role of dofetilide in the control of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with an ICD has not been established. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the safety and efficacy of dofetilide in a consecutive group of patients with an ICD and recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) and/ or ventricular fibrillation (VF) after other antiarrhythmic drugs have failed to suppress these arrhythmias. METHODS: We studied 30 patients (age 59 ± 11; 5 women) with symptomatic VT or VF and ICDs for secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death. These patients had an average of 1.8 ± 4.5 episodes of VT/VF per month despite antiarrhymic therapy. Twenty-one patients (70%) had recurrent appropriate ICD therapies prior to initiation of dofetilide, and 9 (30%) VTs below the programmed detection rate of the ICD. Twenty-three patients (77%) had coronary artery disease. Mean ejection fraction was 30 ± 14% and 26/30 (87%) had congestive heart failure. All patients had previously failed 2 ± 1 antiarrhythmic drugs including amiodarone (n = 19) and sotalol (n = 10). RESULTS: During the first month of treatment, 25 patients (83%) had complete suppression of VT/VF and of the 21 patients with ICD therapies 16 (76%) had no therapies during the first month of treatment. During a follow-up period of 32 ± 32 months, dofetilide reduced the monthly episodes of VT/VF from 1.8 ± 4.5 to 1.0 ± 3.5 (P = 0.006). Monthly ICD therapies decreased from 0.9 ± 1.4 to 0.4 ± 1.7 (P = 0.037). In 9 patients that presented with slow VTs under the ICD detection zone, dofetilide reduced monthly VT/VF episodes from 0.7 ± 0.6 to 0.1 ± 0.1 (P = 0.01) and 6 (67%) had no further ICD therapies. Dofetilide was discontinued in 13 patients (43%) after 24 ± 30 months due to failure to control VT/VF (n = 7), placement of a left ventricular assist device (n = 3), catheter ablation (n = 1), heart transplantation (n = 1), and left ventricular restoration surgery (n = 1). There were 7 documented deaths (2 patients died suddenly; 3 patients of progressive heart failure; and 2 of non-cardiac causes). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with an ICD and ventricular arrhythmias, dofetilide decreases the frequency of VT/VF and ICD therapies even when other antiarrhythmic agents, including amiodarone, have previously been ineffective. Recurrences still occur in some patients requiring catheter ablation, mechanical support, or heart transplantation.