Sex differences in acute cardiovascular care: a review and needs assessment.

Despite significant progress in the care of patients suffering from cardiovascular disease, there remains a persistent sex disparity in the diagnosis, management, and outcomes of these patients. These sex disparities are seen across the spectrum of cardiovascular care, but, are especially pronounced in acute cardiovascular care. The spectrum of acute cardiovascular care encompasses critically ill or tenuous patients with cardiovascular conditions that require urgent or emergent decision-making and interventions. In this narrative review, the disparities in the clinical course, management, and outcomes of six commonly encountered acute cardiovascular conditions, some with a known sex-predilection will be discussed within the basis of underlying sex differences in physiology, anatomy, and pharmacology with the goal of identifying areas where improvement in clinical approaches are needed.

Influence of primary payer status on non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: 18-year retrospective cohort national temporal trends, management and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The role of insurance on outcomes in non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients is limited in the contemporary era. METHODS: From the National Inpatient Sample, adult NSTEMI admissions were identified [2000-2017]. Expected primary payer was classified into Medicare, Medicaid, private, uninsured and others. Outcomes included in-hospital mortality, overall and early coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), resource utilization and discharge disposition. RESULTS: Of the 7,290,565 NSTEMI admissions, Medicare, Medicaid, private, uninsured and other insurances were noted in 62.9%, 6.1%, 24.1%, 4.6% and 2.3%, respectively. Compared to others, those with Medicare insurance older (76 vs. 53-60 years), more likely to be female (48% vs. 25-44%), of white race, and with higher comorbidity (all P<0.001). Population from the Medicare cohort had higher in-hospital mortality (5.6%) compared to the others (1.9-3.4%), P<0.001. With Medicare as referent, in-hospital mortality was higher in other {adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.15 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.11-1.19]; P<0.001}, and lower in Medicaid [aOR 0.95 (95% CI, 0.92-0.97); P<0.001], private [aOR 0.77 (95% CI, 0.75-0.78); P<0.001] and uninsured cohorts [aOR 0.97 (95% CI, 0.94-1.00); P=0.06] in a multivariable analysis. Coronary angiography (overall 52% vs. 65-74%; early 15% vs. 22-27%) and PCI (27% vs. 35-44%) were used lesser in the Medicare population. The Medicare population had longer lengths of stay, lowest hospitalization costs and fewer home discharges. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to other types of primary payers, NSTEMI admissions with Medicare insurance had lower use of coronary angiography and PCI, and higher in-hospital mortality.

Coronary allograft vasculopathy managed by Flash ostial balloon in a pediatric patient.

Coronary allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is the most significant cause of morbidity and mortality in heart transplant recipients. Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction caused by graft rejection and viral infections leads to a combination of circumferential intimal fibromuscular hyperplasia, atherosclerosis, and inflammation affecting all layers of the vessel wall. Though obstructive CAV is often asymptomatic, posing a diagnostic challenge in post-transplant patients, early diagnosis and treatment aid faster recovery and improved outcomes. The role of percutaneous coronary intervention in the treatment of CAV is unknown and not well studied in the pediatric population. We present a first-in-human case of ostial left main coronary artery disease managed with flaring of the ostial coronary stent using a Flash ostial balloon in a pediatric patient with history of an orthotopic heart transplant.

Managing an Unhappy Patient.

A clinical study has noted that one out of six patients is perceived as "difficult" by clinicians. Not surprisingly, patient dissatisfaction has to do with multiple factors, both within and outside the control of the surgeon. In the present times of electronic information and ratings, managing difficult patients is a critical skill-a patient's dissatisfactory review could adversely affect a practitioner's reputation built over years of meticulous practice. Patient expectations are often more pronounced in case of elective medical procedures such as hair transplants. The subject of managing an unhappy patient in the context of hair transplantation is, therefore, one that requires due enquiry and is the subject that this article seeks to explore.

Contemporary National Outcomes of Acute Myocardial Infarction-Cardiogenic Shock in Patients with Prior Chronic Kidney Disease and End-Stage Renal Disease.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on acute myocardial infarction with cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS) stratified by chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages. OBJECTIVE: To assess clinical outcomes in AMI-CS stratified by CKD stages. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of AMI-CS during 2005-2016 from the National Inpatient Sample was categorized as no CKD, CKD stage-III (CKD-III), CKD stage-IV (CKD-IV) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). CKD-I/II were excluded. Outcomes included in-hospital mortality, use of coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and mechanical circulatory support (MCS). We also evaluated acute kidney injury (AKI) and acute hemodialysis in non-ESRD admissions. RESULTS: Of 372,412 AMI-CS admissions, CKD-III, CKD-IV and ESRD comprised 20,380 (5.5%), 7367 (2.0%) and 18,109 (4.9%), respectively. Admissions with CKD were, on average, older, of the White race, bearing Medicare insurance, of a lower socioeconomic stratum, with higher comorbidities, and higher rates of acute organ failure. Compared to the cohort without CKD, CKD-III, CKD-IV and ESRD had lower use of coronary angiography (72.7%, 67.1%, 56.9%, 61.1%), PCI (53.7%, 43.8%, 38.4%, 37.6%) and MCS (47.9%, 38.3%, 33.3%, 34.2%), respectively (all p < 0.001). AKI and acute hemodialysis use increased with increase in CKD stage (no CKD-38.5%, 2.6%; CKD-III-79.1%, 6.5%; CKD-IV-84.3%, 12.3%; p < 0.001). ESRD (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.25 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.21-1.31]; p < 0.001), but not CKD-III (OR 0.72 [95% CI 0.69-0.75); p < 0.001) or CKD-IV (OR 0.82 [95 CI 0.77-0.87] was predictive of in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: CKD/ESRD is associated with lower use of evidence-based therapies. ESRD was an independent predictor of higher in-hospital mortality in AMI-CS.

How to Increase Muscle Mass in Critically Ill Patients: Lessons Learned from Athletes and Bodybuilders.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Decades of research on nutrition and exercise on athletes and bodybuilders has yielded various strategies to promote anabolism and improve muscle health and growth. We reviewed these interventions in the context of muscle loss in critically ill patients. RECENT FINDINGS: For critically ill patients, ensuring optimum protein intake is important, potentially using a whey-containing source and supplemented with vitamin D and leucine. Agents like hydroxyl ß-methylbutyrate and creatine can be used to promote muscle synthesis. Polyunsaturated fatty acids stimulate muscle production as well as have anti-inflammatory properties that may be useful in critical illness. Adjuncts like oxandralone promote anabolism. Resistance training has shown mixed results in the ICU setting but needs to be explored further with specific outcomes. Critically ill patients suffer from severe proteolysis during hospitalization as well as persistent inflammation, immunosuppression, and catabolism syndrome after discharge. High protein supplementation, ergogenic aids, anti-inflammatories, and anabolic adjuncts have shown potential in alleviating muscle loss and should be used in intensive care units to optimize patient recovery.

Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support for Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation: A Systematic Review.

Refractory ventricular tachycardia (VT) and electrical storm are frequently associated with hemodynamic compromise requiring mechanical support. This study sought to review the current literature on the use of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) for hemodynamic support during VT ablation. This was a systematic review of all published literature from 2000 to 2019 evaluating patients with VT undergoing ablation with VA-ECMO support. Studies that reported mortality, safety, and efficacy outcomes in adult (>18 years) patients were included. The primary outcome was short-term mortality (intensive care unit stay, hospital stay, or ≤30 days). The literature search identified 4,802 citations during the study period, of which seven studies comprising 867 patients met the inclusion criteria. Periprocedural VA-ECMO was used in 129 (15%) patients and all were placed peripherally. Average inducible VTs were 2-3 per procedure and ablation time varied between 34 mins and 4.7 hours. Median ages were between 61 and 68 years with 93% males. Median duration of VA-ECMO varied between 140 minutes and 6 days. Short-term mortality was 15% (19 patients), with the most frequent causes being refractory VT, cardiac arrest, and acute heart failure. All-cause mortality at the longest follow-up was 25%. Major bleeding, vascular/access complications, limb ischemia, stroke, and acute kidney injury were reported with varying frequency of 1-6%. In conclusion, VA-ECMO is used infrequently for hemodynamic support for VT ablation. Further data on patient selection, procedural optimization, and clinical outcomes are needed to evaluate the efficacy of this strategy.

A pilot study comparing two sites for incision during pacemaker implantation and their influence on the scar.

OBJECTIVE: There are two most common incisions that are used during most pacemaker implantation procedures, with the first type of incision being inferior and parallel to the clavicle (Group C) and the second type of incision along the deltopectoral groove (Group D). We evaluated the scars resulting from the two types of incision to objectively evaluate the degree of superiority in cosmetic outcomes, between these two types of incisions. METHODS: Seventy-six patients who underwent left pre-pectoral pacemaker insertion were evaluated, close to 6 months after the date of the pacemaker implantation, using a simple scoring system based on atrophy, contour and colour of the scar. The likelihood of reduced severity in scar scores were compared between the two groups and the number of patients with elevation or inversion of the scar and with keloid formation were quantified. RESULTS: Seventy-six patients, with 47 belonging to the 'Group C' and 29 belonging to the 'Group D' were evaluated. The average length (C: 25 ±â€¯2 mm; D: 24 ±â€¯3 mm) and thickness (C: 25 ±â€¯3 mm; D: 26 ±â€¯2 mm) of the scars were not significantly different. The mean cumulative total scores in 'Group C' (1.98 ±â€¯1.50) and 'Group D' (1.93 ±â€¯1.31) were comparable. The odds ratio (OR) estimate showed that outcomes for atrophy (OR:0.73), contour (OR:0.53) and the cumulative total scores (OR:0.72) were also comparable. CONCLUSION: This pilot study showed that the deltopectoral groove incision as a site of incision is comparable to the infraclavicular incision.