Psoas Muscle Area as a Predictor of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Frailty is a well-recognised predictor of outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Psoas muscle area (PMA) is a surrogate marker for sarcopaenia and is a validated assessment tool for frailty. The objective of this study was to examine frailty as a predictor of outcomes in TAVI patients and assess the prognostic usefulness of adding PMA to established frailty assessments. METHODS: Frailty assessments were performed on 220 consecutive patients undergoing TAVI. These assessments used four markers (serum albumin, handgrip strength, gait speed, and a cognitive assessment), which were combined to form a composite frailty score. Preprocedural computed tomography scans were used to calculate cross-sectional PMA for each patient. The primary outcomes were all-cause mortality at 1-year and post-procedure length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Frailty status, as defined by the composite frailty score, was independently predictive of length of hospital stay (p=0.001), but not predictive of 1-year mortality (p=0.161). Albumin (p=0.036) and 5-metre walk test (p=0.003) were independently predictive of 1-year mortality. The PMA, when adjusted for gender, and normalised according to body surface area, was not predictive of 1-year mortality. Normalised PMA was associated with increased post-procedure length of stay within the female population (p=0.031). CONCLUSIONS: A low PMA is associated with increased length of hospital stay in female TAVI patients but does not provide additional predictive value over traditional frailty scores. The PMA was not shown to correlate with TAVI-related complications or 1-year mortality.

After-hours emergency radiology CT reporting by radiology registrars at an Australian level 1 trauma centre: A review of discrepancies between preliminary and final reports.

INTRODUCTION: There is reliance on radiology registrar reporting of after-hours CT scans in many public hospitals across Australia and New Zealand. This study evaluates the extent and nature of CT reporting discrepancies after-hours by comparing trainee preliminary reports with consultant finalised reports. METHODS: A retrospective review of all after-hours CT scans between January and December 2014 by radiology trainees at a level 1 trauma centre was performed. Discrepancies were classified as major or minor, by year level of trainee, time of report and scan type (Trauma vs. Non-Trauma). Major discrepancies were investigated to assess if they led to increased morbidity, mortality or a change in treatment. RESULTS: 17,948 after-hours CT scans were performed. A total of 1235 preliminary reports required addendums (discrepancy rate of 6.9%). There were 630 Trauma and 605 Non-Trauma studies. There were 56 major (0.3%) and 1179 minor (6.6%) discrepancies. Of the 56 major discrepancies there were 12 (0.3%) in the Trauma and 44 (6.6%) in the Non-Trauma groups. There were no adverse patient outcomes due to any major discrepancy. There were more minor discrepancies in reports of Trauma CTs compared to Non-Trauma (P ≤ 0.0001). No relationship between the time of report issued and discrepancy rate (P = 0.811) was observed. There was a lower discrepancy rate the more experienced the registrar from year 2 to advanced fellowship (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The discrepancy rates of after-hours CT trainee reports were lower at this institution compared to international literature (6.9% vs. 7.7%). The majority of preliminary trainee reports were accurate with no increased morbidity or mortality resulting from major discrepancies.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a new standard of care.

Aortic stenosis is the most common valvular lesion requiring intervention and with an ageing population, its burden is likely to increase. Increasing comorbidity and a desire for less invasive treatment strategies has facilitated the expansion of percutaneous aortic valve therapies. Robust clinical trial data are now available to support the role of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients of prohibitive, high and now intermediate surgical risk. The introduction of a Medicare Benefits Schedule reimbursement is likely to see TAVI use grow exponentially in Australia over the next 5 years. Clinical trials evaluating low risk patients may be the final frontier to see TAVI become the standard of care for most patients with severe aortic stenosis.

Effects of renal sympathetic denervation on myocardial structure, function and perfusion: A serial CMR study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Echocardiographic studies have shown improvements in cardiac indices associated with renal sympathetic denervation (RDN), however, the benefits on myocardial perfusion have never been assessed. This trial was designed to study the effects of RDN on myocardial perfusion using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. METHODS: A total of 14 patients with resistant hypertension were recruited for RDN and myocardial perfusion, alongside other CMR indices, was assessed at baseline and at 6 months. RESULTS: RDN showed significant reduction of mean office blood pressures from 181/100 ±â€¯19/16 mmHg to 147/85 ±â€¯19/17 mmHg, 6 months after the procedure (p < 0.0001). This was combined with significant improvement in regional aortic distensibility (p < 0.02) and associated with trends of improved myocardial perfusion reserve index (baseline = 2.2 ±â€¯1; 6 months = 2.9 ±â€¯1 units) (p = 0.08). Left ventricular end systolic volume index decreased from baseline to 6 months post procedure, 27 ±â€¯13 ml/m2vs. 22 ±â€¯10 ml/m2 (p = 0.03), but there was no significant change in left ventricular end diastolic volume index (p = 0.09). There was significant improvement in mean left ventricular ejection fraction from 68 ± 10% to 72 + 9%, 6 months post procedure (p = 0.04). T1 mapping failed to detect fibrosis in these patients at baseline and therefore no change was noted, however, extracellular volume percent improved from 46 ±â€¯4% at baseline to 41 ±â€¯8% at 6 months (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that renal sympathetic denervation increased myocardial perfusion by 32% as assessed by CMR, and, this was associated with improvements in cardiac volumes and function. Larger well controlled and randomized studies are required to assess the clinical significance of these findings.

Renal sympathetic denervation increases renal blood volume per cardiac cycle: a serial magnetic resonance imaging study in resistant hypertension.

AIM: Preclinical studies have demonstrated improvements in renal blood flow after renal sympathetic denervation (RSDN); however, such effects are yet to be confirmed in patients with resistant hypertension. Herein, we assessed the effects of RSDN on renal artery blood flow and diameter at multiple time points post-RSDN. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients (n=11) with systolic blood pressures ≥160 mmHg despite taking three or more antihypertensive medications at maximum tolerated dose were recruited into this single-center, prospective, non-blinded study. Magnetic resonance imaging indices included renal blood flow and renal artery diameters at baseline, 1 month and 6 months. In addition to significant decreases in blood pressures (p<0.0001), total volume of blood flow per cardiac cycle increased by 20% from 6.9±2 mL at baseline to 8.4±2 mL (p=0.003) at 1 month and to 8.0±2 mL (p=0.04) 6 months post-procedure, with no changes in the renal blood flow. There was a significant decrease in renal artery diameters from 7±2 mm at baseline to 6±1 mm (p=0.03) at 1 month post-procedure. This decrease was associated with increases in maximum velocity of blood flow from 73±20 cm/s at baseline to 78±19 cm/s at 1 month post-procedure. Notably, both parameters reverted to 7±2 mm and 72±18 cm/s, respectively, 6 months after procedure. CONCLUSION: RSDN improves renal physiology as evidenced by significant improvements in total volume of blood flow per cardiac cycle. Additionally, for the first time, we identified a transient decrease in renal artery diameters immediately after procedure potentially caused by edema and inflammation that reverted to baseline values 6 months post-procedure.

Attenuation in peripheral endothelial function after continuous flow left ventricular assist device therapy is associated with cardiovascular adverse events.

BACKGROUND: Patients with heart failure (HF) have abnormal endothelial function. Although use of a continuous flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) results in significant hemodynamic improvement, the effects on systemic endothelial function are unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighteen HF patients with CF-LVAD implantation were included in this prospective observational study. We measured reactive hyperemia index (RHI) before and after CF-LVAD implantation to evaluate sequential changes in endothelial function. Patients were followed clinically for the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events, a composite of death, thrombosis, bleeding, HF, renal failure, and arrhythmia. Preoperative RHI was 1.77±0.39. Early in the postoperative period (7-14 days after operation) RHI significantly decreased to 1.19±0.31 (P<0.001, compared with preoperative RHI). At first and second follow-up (4-6 weeks and 3-7 months after operation) RHI remained lower at 1.48±0.50 (P=0.030) and 1.26±0.37 (P=0.002), respectively, compared with preoperative RHI. The decrease in early postoperative RHI relative to preoperative RHI was significantly associated with adverse cardiovascular events after CF-LVAD (age-adjusted risk ratio for 0.25 decrease in RHI, 1.35; 95% confidence interval: 1.13-1.62, P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Peripheral endothelial function had a significant and persistent decline up to 5 months following implantation of CF-LVAD, and this decline was associated with adverse cardiovascular events. These findings may provide insight into some of the vascular complications following CF-LVAD in HF patients.

Left Atrial Appendage Eccentricity and Irregularity Are Associated With Residual Leaks After Percutaneous Closure.

OBJECTIVES: Predictors of residual leak following percutaneous LAA closure were evaluated. BACKGROUND: Left atrial appendage (LAA) closure aims to exclude this structure from the circulation, typically using a circular occluder. A noncircular orifice is frequently encountered however, and fibrous remodeling of the LAA in atrial fibrillation may restrict orifice deformation. Noncircularity may thus be implicated in the occurrence of residual leak despite an appropriately oversized device. METHODS: Pre-procedural multislice computerized tomography was used to quantify LAA orifice eccentricity and irregularity. Univariate predictors of residual leak were identified with respect to the orifice, device, and relevant clinical variables, with the nature of any correlations then further evaluated. RESULTS: Eccentricity and irregularity indexes of the orifice in 31 individuals were correlated with residual leak even where the device was appropriately oversized. An eccentricity index of 0.15 predicted a residual leak with 85% sensitivity and 59% specificity. An irregularity index of 0.05 predicted a significant residual leak ≥3 mm with 100% sensitivity and 86% specificity. Orifice size, device size, degree of device oversize, left atrial volume, and pulmonary artery pressure were not predictors of residual leak. CONCLUSIONS: Eccentricity and irregularity of the LAA orifice are implicated in residual leak after percutaneous closure even where there is appropriate device over-size. Irregularity index in particular is a novel predictor of residual leak, supporting a closer consideration of orifice morphology before closure.

Distinctive clinical characteristics according to age and gender in apical ballooning syndrome (takotsubo/stress cardiomyopathy): an analysis focusing on men and young women.

BACKGROUND: Apical ballooning syndrome (ABS) predominantly affects postmenopausal women. There is a paucity of data regarding ABS in men and young women. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of men and young women (<50 y) to older women (≥50 y). METHODS & RESULTS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 224 patients and divided them into men (n = 12), young women (n = 12), and older women (n = 200). Older women were further subdivided into those who were and were not on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) at the time of presentation. Men were more likely to present after a physical trigger (100% vs 46%; P = .009), have lower ejection fractions (30.1 ± 8.0% vs 40 ± 13.9%; P = .04), and have greater need for mechanical ventilation (67% vs 17%; P < .0001) compared with older women. Younger women were more likely to have a history of psychiatric disorders (75% vs 24%; P = .0001) at presentation and a higher rate of recurrence (16% vs 3%; P = .017) compared with older women. Of the older women, 15 developed ABS while on chronic HRT. Those without HRT were more likely to require mechanical hemodynamic (7.7% and 0%; P = .002) and ventilatory (18.1% and 0%; P = .017) support compared with older women who were on HRT. CONCLUSIONS: Men appeared to develop ABS as a consequence of a physical trigger, whereas young women had a higher rate of psychiatric comorbidities and a greater propensity for recurrence. Treatment with HRT in older women does not preclude the development of ABS.

Coincidence of apical ballooning syndrome (tako-tsubo/stress cardiomyopathy) and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome: potential common substrate and pathophysiology?

BACKGROUND: Apical ballooning syndrome (ABS) and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) are recently described, seemingly unrelated, reversible conditions. The precise pathophysiology of these syndromes remains unknown. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of a unique series of patients with both ABS and PRES. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a retrospective study of 224 consecutive patients diagnosed with ABS between 2002 and 2010, 6 (2.7%) were also diagnosed with PRES. All were female with a mean age of 63.7 ± 12.5 years. All patients had preceding medical comorbidities and physical stress triggers that precipitated ABS and PRES. Mean peak troponin T levels and left ventricular ejection fraction at presentation were 0.47 ± 0.48 mg/dL and 31.5 ± 8.2%, respectively. Characteristic left ventricular wall motion abnormalities (regional wall motion score index 2.22 ± 0.37) were noted in all patients, and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was significant for vasogenic edema, predominantly in the posterior circulation. All patients recovered left ventricular (ejection fraction at follow-up 60.2 ± 6.0%) and neurologic function with supportive management. Two patients had recurrence of ABS and 1 of PRES during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: ABS and PRES can occur simultaneously during an acute illness. Patients with ABS who develop neurologic dysfunction should be evaluated for PRES and vice versa. Because transient sympathetic overactivity and microvascular dysfunction have been observed in both reversible syndromes, we speculate that they may represent the shared pathophysiologic mechanism.