Outcomes in patients with aortic stenosis and severely reduced ejection fraction following surgical aortic valve replacement and transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: Patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction demonstrate improvement in left ventricular injection fraction (LVEF) after aortic valve replacement (AVR). The timing and magnitude of recovery in patients with very low LVEF (≤ 25%) in surgical or transcatheter AVR is not well studied. OBJECTIVE: Determine clinical outcomes following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and surgical aortic valve repair (SAVR) in the subset of patients with severely reduced EF ≤ 25%. METHODS: Single-center, retrospective study with primary endpoint of LVEF 1-week following either procedure. Secondary outcomes included 30-day mortality and delayed postprocedural LVEF. T-test was used to compare variables and linear regression was used to adjust differences among baseline variables. RESULTS: 83 patients were enrolled (TAVR = 56 and SAVR = 27). TAVR patients were older at the time of procedure (TAVR 77.29 ± 8.69 vs. SAVR 65.41 ± 10.05, p < 0.001). One week post procedure, all patients had improved LVEF after both procedures (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in LVEF between either group (TAVR 33.5 ± 11.77 vs. SAVR 35.3 ± 13.57, p = 0.60). Average LVEF continued to rise and increased by 101% at final follow-up (41.26 ± 13.70). 30-day mortality rates in SAVR and TAVR were similar (7.4% vs. 7.1%, p = 0.91). CONCLUSION: Patients with severe AS and LVEF ≤ 25% have a significant recovery in post-procedural EF following AVR regardless of method. LVEF doubled at two years post-procedure. There was no significant difference in 30-day mortality or mean EF recovery between TAVR and SAVR. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Indiana University institutional review board granted approval for above study numbered 15,322.

PCSK9 Inhibition in Patients After Heart Transplantation: a Retrospective Review and Literature Analysis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Following cardiac transplantation, patients have an increased risk of developing cardiac allograft vasculopathy and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Therefore, aggressive lipid management is indicated. Some patients do not achieve optimal lipid profiles with statin monotherapy, however, or discontinue statins due to intolerance. In this review, we investigated the use of PCSK9 inhibitors as an alternative treatment for hyperlipidemia following cardiac transplantation. RECENT FINDINGS: Nine published articles were identified that included 110 patients treated with alirocumab or evolocumab after cardiac transplantation. PCSK9 inhibitors were tolerated by all patients, and each study demonstrated an effective reduction of low-density lipoprotein ranging from 40 to 87% decrease from baseline. In our study, the 110 patients from literature review were added to a cohort of 7 similar patients from our institution for combined analysis. This report supports that PCSK9 inhibitors should be considered following cardiac transplantation when conventional medial therapy is not tolerated or ineffective.

Device-device interaction between cardiac implantable electronic devices and continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices.

The current design of an innovative left ventricular assist device (LVAD) makes use of magnetic levitation technology, which enables the rotors of the device to be completely suspended by magnetic force, reducing friction and blood or plasma damage. However, this electromagnetic field can result in electromagnetic interference (EMI), which can interfere with proper functioning of another cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) in its direct proximity. Approximately 80% of patients with an LVAD have a CIED, most frequently an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Several device-device interactions have been reported, including EMI-induced inappropriate shocks, inability to establish telemetry connection, EMI-induced premature battery depletion, undersensing by the device, and other CIED malfunctions. Unfortunately, additional procedures, including generator exchange, lead adjustment, and system extraction, are frequently required because of these interactions. In some circumstances, the additional procedure might be preventable or avoidable with appropriate solutions. In this article, we describe how EMI from the LVAD impacts the functionality of the CIED and provide possible management options, including manufacturer-specific information, for the current CIEDs (eg, transvenous and leadless pacemakers, transvenous and subcutaneous ICDs, and transvenous cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers and ICDs).

Fulminant Myocarditis and Cardiogenic Shock Following COVID-19 Infection Versus COVID-19 Vaccination: A Systematic Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Myocarditis, diagnosed by symptoms and troponin elevation, has been well-described with COVID-19 infection, as well as shortly after COVID-19 vaccination. The literature has characterized the outcomes of myocarditis following COVID-19 infection and vaccination, but clinicopathologic, hemodynamic, and pathologic features following fulminant myocarditis have not been well-characterized. We aimed to compare clinical and pathological features of fulminant myocarditis requiring hemodynamic support with vasopressors/inotropes and mechanical circulatory support (MCS), in these two conditions. METHODS: We analyzed the literature on fulminant myocarditis and cardiogenic shock associated with COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination and systematically reviewed all cases and case series where individual patient data were presented. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar for "COVID", "COVID-19", and "coronavirus" in combination with "vaccine", "fulminant myocarditis", "acute heart failure", and "cardiogenic shock". The Student's t-test was used for continuous variables and the χ2 statistic was used for categorical variables. For non-normal data distributions, the Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test was used for statistical comparisons. RESULTS: We identified 73 cases and 27 cases of fulminant myocarditis associated with COVID-19 infection (COVID-19 FM) and COVID-19 vaccination (COVID-19 vaccine FM), respectively. Fever, shortness of breath, and chest pain were common presentations, but shortness of breath and pulmonary infiltrates were more often present in COVID-19 FM. Tachycardia, hypotension, leukocytosis, and lactic acidosis were seen in both cohorts, but patients with COVID-19 FM were more tachycardic and hypotensive. Histologically, lymphocytic myocarditis dominated both subsets, with some cases of eosinophilic myocarditis in both cohorts. Cellular necrosis was seen in 44.0% and 47.8% of COVID-19 FM and COVID-19 vaccine FM, respectively. Vasopressors and inotropes were used in 69.9% of COVID-19 FM and in 63.0% of the COVID-19 vaccine FM. Cardiac arrest was observed more in COVID-19 FM (p = 0.008). Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) support for cardiogenic shock was also used more commonly in the COVID-19 fulminant myocarditis group (p = 0.0293). Reported mortality was similar (27.7%) and 27.8%, respectively) but was likely worse for COVID-19 FM as the outcome was still unknown in 11% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: In the first series to retrospectively assess fulminant myocarditis associated with COVID-19 infection versus COVID-19 vaccination, we found that both conditions had a similarly high mortality rate, while COVID-19 FM had a more malignant course with more symptoms on presentation, more profound hemodynamic decompensation (higher heart rate, lower blood pressure), more cardiac arrests, and higher temporary MCS requirements including VA-ECMO. In terms of pathology, there was no difference in most biopsies/autopsies that demonstrated lymphocytic infiltrates and some eosinophilic or mixed infiltrates. There was no predominance of young males in COVID-19 vaccine FM cases, with male patients representing only 40.9% of the cohort.

Donor substance abuse and heart transplantation outcomes.

Heart failure continues to account for millions of cases and deaths worldwide. Heart transplant is the gold standard for treatment of advanced heart failure. Unfortunately, the supply of donor hearts continues to be limited with the increase in demand for heart transplantation. In this review, we aim to explore the safety and efficacy of using hearts from donors with history of substance use. Despite the theoretical effect of cocaine and alcohol on the cardiovascular system, several studies demonstrate no difference in outcomes (overall survival, graft rejection, graft vasculopathy) when using hearts from patients with history of cocaine and alcohol use. The opioid epidemic has expanded the potential donor pool where the current studies have not shown any adverse outcomes when considering donors with history of opioid use. The currently available evidence would support the use of donor hearts from patients with history of alcohol, cocaine, opioids, and marijuana use. Further studies are needed to evaluate the safety of using donor hearts from patients with history of nicotine use.

Myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination in adolescents and adults: a cumulative experience of 2021.

Clinical course and outcomes of myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination remain variable. We retrospectively collected data on patients > 12 years old from 01/01/2021 to 12/30/2021 who received COVID-19 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccination and were diagnosed with myocarditis within 60 days of vaccination. Myocarditis cases were based on case definitions by authors. We report on 238 patients of whom most were male (n = 208; 87.1%). The mean age was 27.4 ± 16 (range 12-80) years. Females presented at older ages (41.3 ± 21.5 years) than men 25.7 ± 14 years (p = 0.001). In patients > 20 years of age, the mean duration from vaccination to symptoms was 4.8 days ± 5.5 days, but in < 20, it was 3.0 ± 3.3 days (p = 0.04). Myocarditis occurred most commonly after the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine (n = 183; 76.45) and after the second dose (n = 182; 80%). Symptoms started 3.95 ± 4.5 days after vaccination. The commonest symptom was chest pain (n = 221; 93%). Patients were treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (n = 105; 58.3%), colchicine (n = 38; 21.1%), or glucocorticoids (n = 23; 12.7%). About 30% of the patients had left ventricular ejection fraction but more than half recovered the on repeat imaging. Abnormal cardiac MRIs were common; 168 patients (96% of 175 patients that had MRI) had late gadolinium enhancement, while 120 patients (68.5%) had myocardial edema. Heart failure guideline-directed medical therapy use was common (n = 27; 15%). Eleven patients had cardiogenic shock; and 4 patients required mechanical circulatory support. Five patients (1.7%) died; of these, 3 patients had endomyocardial biopsy/autopsy-confirmed myocarditis. Most cases of COVID-19 vaccine myocarditis are mild. Females presented at older ages than men and duration from vaccination to symptoms was longer in patients > 20 years. Cardiogenic shock requiring mechanical circulatory support was seen and mortality was low. Future studies are needed to better evaluate risk factors, and long-term outcomes of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine myocarditis.

Subjective and Objective Impact of Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitors on Systemic Right Ventricle Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) who have an anatomic right ventricle supporting the systemic circulation have increased mortality and morbidity from heart failure (HF). Angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNI) have emerged as a standard of therapy for adults with HF. However, the effects of this therapy have not been extensively studied in ACHD patients, especially those with systemic right ventricle (SRV). HYPOTHESIS: ARNIs are associated with subjective and objective improvement in SRV patients. METHODS: Eighteen (18) SRV patients were prescribed ARNI at our institution in the last 5 years. Data before and during treatment, including demographics, medical history, New York Heart Association functional class (NYHA FC), labs, cardiac computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), echocardiographic measurements, cardiopulmonary stress test (CPET), and hospitalisation for HF were obtained by review of the electronic medical record. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t and Wilcoxon rank sum tests. RESULTS: Eighteen (18) SRV patients (mean age 40 yrs, 72% male) were treated with ARNI (median duration 13 mo) in addition to other HF medications. All patients tolerated ARNI without symptomatic or asymptomatic hypotension or worsening kidney function. High ARNI dose (97/103 mg) was achieved in three (17%) patients, and moderate (49/51 mg) in three (17%). At baseline, nine patients were NYHA FC 2, seven FC 3, and two FC 4. Mean baseline cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and echocardiographic data were: oxygen uptake (VO2) 18 mL/kg/min, minute ventilation/carbon dioxide (VE/VCO2) 38, right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) 32%, fractional area change (FAC) 21%. Significant tricuspid regurgitation was present in 33% (28% moderate, and 5% severe) and mean tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) was 9.4 mm. With treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in blood pressure, labs, testing, or imaging. There was a statistically significant improvement in median NYHA FC (2 vs 2.5, p=0.005). When compared to an equal pre-ARNI median timeframe, there was a noted decrease in cardiac hospitalisation (4 vs 9) that did not reach statistical significance (p=0.313). CONCLUSION: In adult patients with failing systemic right ventricle, ARNI is safe and well tolerated. Their use is associated with improvement in functional status. Prospective studies on a larger group of patients are warranted to better understand the causes of this improvement.

Heart transplantation in systemic lupus erythematosus: A case report and meta-analysis.

Cardiac involvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus can present as end stage heart failure necessitating orthotopic heart transplantation. Most transplant centers regard Lupus as a contraindication to transplant due to risk of disease recurrence in the transplanted organ. Limited reports of heart transplant in Lupus exist in the literature. Herein, we aim to report on the successful transplant and long-term survival of a 24-year-old woman with Lupus and biventricular heart failure. Given the rarity of transplant in Lupus, we also conducted a meta-analysis of reported cases in the literature to assess post-transplant outcomes and evaluate immunosuppression strategies. Our case underlines the feasibility of transplant in Lupus patients, outlines a detailed immunosuppression strategy and favorable long-term outcome to guide centers contemplating such transplants. The long-term survival of our patient, together with review of the thirteen previously described cases, supports that orthotopic heart transplantation can be considered in select patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Pulmonary Artery Pressure Monitoring Effectively Guides Management to Reduce Heart Failure Hospitalizations in Obesity.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine the impact of therapy guided by pulmonary artery (PA) pressure monitoring in patients with heart failure (HF) and obesity. BACKGROUND: Obesity is prevalent in HF and associated with volume retention, but it complicates clinical assessment of congestion. METHODS: The CardioMEMS Post Approval Study was a prospective, multicenter, open-label trial in 1,200 patients with New York Heart Association functional class III HF and prior HF hospitalization (HFH) within 12 months. Patients with a body mass index (BMI) >35 kg/m2 were required to have a chest circumference <65 inches. Therapy was guided by PA pressure monitoring at sites, and HFHs were adjudicated 1 year before implantation and throughout follow-up. This analysis stratified patients according to ejection fraction (EF) <40% or ≥40% and by BMI <35 kg/m2 or ≥35 kg/m2. RESULTS: Baseline PA diastolic pressure was higher in patients with BMI ≥35 kg/m2 regardless of EF, but all PA pressures were reduced at 12 months in each cohort (P < 0.0001). HFH rate was reduced by >50% in both cohorts for EF <40% (BMI <35 kg/m2 [HR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.41-0.55] and ≥35 kg/m2 [HR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.31-0.53]) and EF ≥40% (BMI <35 kg/m2 [HR: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.35-0.52] and ≥35 kg/m2 [HR: 0.34; 95% CI: 0.25-0.45]; P < 0.0001). There was a nonsignificant trend toward greater reduction with more obesity. The all-cause hospitalization rate was also significantly reduced during monitoring (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Management guided by PA pressure monitoring effectively reduced pressures, HFH, and all-cause hospitalization in patients with obesity regardless of EF. (CardioMEMS HF System Post Approval Study; NCT02279888).

A "Cat"-astrophic Case of Bartonella henselae infective endocarditis followed by cardiac transplantation salvage therapy.

To our knowledge, no cases of Bartonella henselae endocarditis leading to subsequent heart transplantation salvage therapy have been published. We present a case of a 29-year-old man with cat-inflicted B henselae endocarditis and concurrent worsening heart failure, who then underwent successful heart transplantation 50 days following diagnosis. Treatment and monitoring strategies used in this patient are discussed. Furthermore, we review literature related to heart transplantation salvage therapy for endocarditis due to other intracellular pathogens.

Left ventricular assist device-related infections: does the time of onset matter?

A frequent complication of left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) is the LVAD-associated infections (LVADIs). Contamination may occur during initial surgery/admission or at a later time. We studied the clinical manifestations and outcomes of LVADIs depending on the time of the onset. Patients implanted with LVADs at our institution between August 2009 and December 2014 were included. Patients were stratified into 2 groups based on whether the infection occurred early (< 180 days) or late (≥ 180 days) after LVAD implantation. Out of 37 overall LVADI episodes, 16 (43%) and 21 (57%) occurred early or late after device implantation, respectively. Median time to first LVADI was 88 ± 35 vs. 456 ± 187 days between groups. While superficial driveline-related infection was the most common LVADI type for both groups (56 vs. 71%, p = 0.489), driveline drainage was more prevalent in the late group (24 vs. 69%; p = 0.009). Early LVADIs involved more gram-positive flora, mostly Staphylococcus aureus (69 vs. 33%, p = 0.049), whereas late LVADIs involved more gram-negative pathogens, mostly Pseudomonas aueroginosa (25 vs. 57%; p = 0.045). High rates of treatment failure were consistent between groups (88 vs. 71%, p = 0.384). Compared with superficial LVADI, deeper infections were associated with an increase in mortality (13 vs 46%, p = 0.046). We concluded that early onset with likely in-hospital contamination involved more gram-positive flora, whereas late infection involved more gram-negative flora. Regardless of timing, success of antibacterial treatment was dismal, and infection depth correlated with poorer outcomes.

Response to cardiac resynchronization therapy in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy is unrelated to medical therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Current guidelines recommend at least 3 months of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for patients with a new onset of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) and left bundle branch block (LBBB) prior to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). For patients who do not receive optimal GDMT, response to CRT is unknown. METHODS: Patients with NICM and LBBB with QRS ≥ 120 ms were identified among all patients who underwent CRT. Patients who received GDMT for ≥ 3 months before CRT were compared to those who did not. Among 38 patients who met inclusion criteria, 24 received optimal GDMT prior to implantation (Group 1) and 14 did not (Group 2). RESULTS: QRS narrowing occurred in Group 1 (160 ± 9 ms to 138 ± 20 ms, P = 0.001) and Group 2 (160 ± 17 ms to 139 ± 30 ms, P = 0.021). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) improvement occurred in Group 1 (21.3 ± 5.9% to 34.4 ± 13.9%, P < 0.001) and Group 2 (18.8 ± 4.7% to 31.1 ± 13%, P = 0.010). QRS interval and LVEF changes were similar between groups (P = NS). There was a trend towards greater CRT response in women than in men, although differences did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: In patients with NICM and LBBB, CRT is associated with improvements in LV size and function independent of prior GDMT. The ability of resynchronization to improve LVEF without GDMT suggests that CRT without waiting 3 months for GDMT optimization may benefit some patients with NICM and LBBB.

Narrative medicine applications for patient identity and quality of life in ventricular assist device (VAD) patients.

Patients with advanced heart failure may experience a variety of challenges to their self-identity and quality of life due to their heart condition and treatment by implantation of a ventricular assist device (VAD). These challenges include loss of energy and stamina, loss of independence and autonomy, dependence on loved ones and caregivers for help, strained relationships with family and friends, and uncertainty about treatment outcomes and time of recovery. Narrative Medicine (NM) sessions may help patients to reflect on their situation, rediscover identity, and engage sources of meaning by telling or writing their story. This narrative process may encourage patient resilience and quality of life. The impact of illness and treatment on each patient may be understood more fully in light of each patient's unique identity and life story. Insights from NM visits may also help the treatment team as they assess patients' life situation including sources of support as well as goals and motivation for treatment. This paper provides case reports to illustrate applications of NM in the care of patients with advanced heart failure who are treated with implanted VADs. The cases include use of NM to clarify an elderly patient's motivation and consent for VAD implantation to return to favorite outdoor activities; application of perspectives from NM visits to appreciate a patient's slow but gradual improvement after VAD implantation and strong motivation for recovery; and use of a NM session to help a patient begin to overcome social withdrawal and fear after traumatic post-operative experiences.

Still sour about lactic acidosis years later: role of metformin in heart failure.

Metformin remains a widely-used, first-line pharmacotherapy agent for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus because of its efficacy, mild side effects, and affordability.However, use of this medication has traditionally been shunned by clinicians in patient populations that are considered at risk of lactic acidosis, such as those with heart failure. The underutilization of metformin can largely be attributed to the historical stigma of its biguanide predecessor, phenformin, and its association with lactic acidosis. Despite various studies finding low rates of lactic acidosis and the United States Federal Drug Administration's subsequent removal of heart failure from metformin's contraindication labeling in 2006, this oral hypoglycemic remains underutilized in this patient population. In addition to reports of the safe use of metformin in the heart failure population, a multitude of studies have also additionally suggested a modest reduction in mortality and morbidity. Metformin's role should be strongly reconsidered in the armamentarium of diabetes management in heart failure patients.

INTERMACS (Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support) Profiling Identifies Ambulatory Patients at High Risk on Medical Therapy After Hospitalizations for Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: INTERMACS (Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support) profiles provide important prognostic information for patients with advanced heart failure (HF) receiving mechanical support. The value of INTERMACS profiling has not been shown for patients followed on medical therapy for advanced HF at centers that also offer mechanical circulatory support. METHODS AND RESULTS: This prospective, observational study enrolled 166 patients with chronic New York Heart Association class III-IV HF, ejection fraction ≤30%, and ≥1 HF hospitalization in the previous year, excluding patients listed for transplant or receiving chronic intravenous inotropic therapy. Subjects were followed for at least 12 months or until death, mechanical support, or transplant. Baseline features, quality of life, and outcomes were compared according to INTERMACS profile. Mean age was 57 years, ejection fraction 18%, and 57% had HF >5 years, whereas 23% of subjects were INTERMACS profile 4, 32% profile 5, and 45% profile 6/7. At 1 year, only 47% of this ambulatory advanced HF cohort remained alive on medical therapy. Patients in INTERMACS profile 4 were more likely to die or require mechanical support, with only 52% of these patients alive without support after the first 6 months. Profile 6/7 patients had 1-year survival of 84%, similar to outcomes for contemporary destination left ventricular assist device recipients. Quality of life using the indexed EuroQol score was poor across profiles 4 to 7, although severe limitation was less common than for ambulatory patients enrolled in INTERMACS before ventricular assist device implantation. CONCLUSIONS: Ambulatory patients with systolic HF, a heavy symptom burden, and at least 1 recent HF hospitalization are at high risk for death or left ventricular assist device rescue. INTERMACS profiles help identify ambulatory patients with advanced HF who may benefit from current mechanical support devices under existing indications.

Unrepaired tetralogy of fallot with major aortopulmonary collateral arteries in an adult patient.

Tetralogy of Fallot is characterized by a ventricular septal defect, a large, overriding aorta, subpulmonic stenosis, and right ventricular hypertrophy. These lesions can be associated with abnormal development of the pulmonary vasculature. This can include peripheral pulmonic stenosis, discontinuous pulmonary arteries, anomalous pulmonary venous return, and the development of aortopulmonary collateral vessels. Aortopulmonary collateral vessels develop to supply underperfused areas of the pulmonary bed and pose a unique and challenging problem at the time of surgical repair, which involves closure of the ventricular septal defect, relief of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, maintenance of pulmonary valve competency when possible, and establishment of laminar pulmonary blood flow to all segments of the pulmonary bed. We describe a 36-year-old man with unrepaired tetralogy of Fallot with distinctive aortopulmonary collaterals, who underwent complete surgical repair with good outcome. Two-dimensional echocardiogram, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and cardiac catheterization each provided vital details allowing a stepwise approach to defining his unique anatomy for surgical correction.

Intractable cardiac arrest due to lidocaine toxicity successfully resuscitated with lipid emulsion.

OBJECTIVE: Demonstrate a case report involving successful use of lipid emulsion therapy for intractable cardiac arrest due to lidocaine toxicity. DATA SOURCE: Lipid emulsion therapy has been shown to be effective in treating the cardiotoxic effects of such drugs as bupivacaine, verapamil, propranolol, and clomipramine as mentioned in a 2009 editorial in Critical Care Medicine by Jeffrey Bent. The mechanism of action of lipid emulsion therapy is not well defined and has been postulated to work by both a "lipid sink," decreasing circulating amounts of drugs to the periphery, or through a direct "energy source" to the myocardium. We present a case report of a patient successfully resuscitated with lipid emulsion therapy after prolonged and intractable lidocaine toxicity. Lidocaine is generally considered much less cardiotoxic than other local anesthetics and is used commonly as infusions for intractable ventricular arrhythmias. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates the need to consider lipid emulsion therapy in the advanced cardiac life support algorithm for lidocaine toxicity as well as other lipid soluble drug intoxications.

Augmentation of ECG QRS complexes after fluid removal via a mechanical ultrafiltration pump in patients with congestive heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Augmentation of the amplitude of ECG QRS complexes, correlating with loss of weight or fluid volume removed, has been documented in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). METHODS: We investigated the effect of an ultrafiltration (UF) pump on the fluid removal and the amplitude of ECG QRS complexes in patients with CHF. Nine patients aged 48.3 +/- 10.4 years with CHF were treated with an UF system, and weights, fluid removed, and sums of the amplitude of QRS complexes (SigmaQRS), were inter-correlated. RESULTS: UF resulted in removal of 4.62 +/- 1.82 L of fluid, 5.0 +/- 2.9% decrease in the weights (P = 0.002) and 18.1 +/- 16.8% increase in the SigmaQRS (P = 0.012). There was a moderate correlation of % increase in the SigmaQRS and net fluid volume losses (UF + urine - oral intake), (r = 0.67, P = 0.0471, and a poor correlation between % increase in the SigmaQRS and % decrease in weights (r = 0.11, P = 0.77). Correlations of the change in weights after UF with the fluid removed by UF, or with the volume of total fluid loss (including insensible losses) were moderate but barely statistically significant (r = 0.65, P = 0.0559), and (r = 0.65, P = 0.0577), correspondingly. CONCLUSION: Augmentation of the amplitude of QRS complexes correlates well with net fluid loss in response to UF in patients with CHF, and can be employed as an index of effectiveness of therapy. Also, a model of fluid losses in patients treated for CHF is being proposed.

Ultrafiltration versus intravenous diuretics for patients hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to compare the safety and efficacy of veno-venous ultrafiltration and standard intravenous diuretic therapy for hypervolemic heart failure (HF) patients. BACKGROUND: Early ultrafiltration may be an alternative to intravenous diuretics in patients with decompensated HF and volume overload. METHODS: Patients hospitalized for HF with > or =2 signs of hypervolemia were randomized to ultrafiltration or intravenous diuretics. Primary end points were weight loss and dyspnea assessment at 48 h after randomization. Secondary end points included net fluid loss at 48 h, functional capacity, HF rehospitalizations, and unscheduled visits in 90 days. Safety end points included changes in renal function, electrolytes, and blood pressure. RESULTS: Two hundred patients (63 +/- 15 years, 69% men, 71% ejection fraction < or =40%) were randomized to ultrafiltration or intravenous diuretics. At 48 h, weight (5.0 +/- 3.1 kg vs. 3.1 +/- 3.5 kg; p = 0.001) and net fluid loss (4.6 vs. 3.3 l; p = 0.001) were greater in the ultrafiltration group. Dyspnea scores were similar. At 90 days, the ultrafiltration group had fewer patients rehospitalized for HF (16 of 89 [18%] vs. 28 of 87 [32%]; p = 0.037), HF rehospitalizations (0.22 +/- 0.54 vs. 0.46 +/- 0.76; p = 0.022), rehospitalization days (1.4 +/- 4.2 vs. 3.8 +/- 8.5; p = 0.022) per patient, and unscheduled visits (14 of 65 [21%] vs. 29 of 66 [44%]; p = 0.009). No serum creatinine differences occurred between groups. Nine deaths occurred in the ultrafiltration group and 11 in the diuretics group. CONCLUSIONS: In decompensated HF, ultrafiltration safely produces greater weight and fluid loss than intravenous diuretics, reduces 90-day resource utilization for HF, and is an effective alternative therapy. (The UNLOAD trial; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00124137?order=1; NCT00124137).