Use of computed tomography (CT) for preoperative planning in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Surgical planning for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) can be enhanced with the use of computed tomographic (CT) imaging to better understand the surgical field for optimal conduct of the case as well as risk assessment for outcomes. CABG via primary sternotomy, redo sternotomy, and minimally-invasive thoracotomy each pose unique surgical considerations and risks that can be better characterized with a preoperative CT scan. CT and CT angiographic (CTA) techniques with or without intravenous (IV) contrast can provide a noninvasive assessment of the vascular and bony structures and direct surgical planning techniques. Herein we discuss the role of CT/CTA imaging of the chest in preoperative planning of different strategies of CABG.

Multi-dimensional characterization of prediabetes in the Project Baseline Health Study.

BACKGROUND: We examined multi-dimensional clinical and laboratory data in participants with normoglycemia, prediabetes, and diabetes to identify characteristics of prediabetes and predictors of progression from prediabetes to diabetes or reversion to no diabetes. METHODS: The Project Baseline Health Study (PBHS) is a multi-site prospective cohort study of 2502 adults that conducted deep clinical phenotyping through imaging, laboratory tests, clinical assessments, medical history, personal devices, and surveys. Participants were classified by diabetes status (diabetes [DM], prediabetes [preDM], or no diabetes [noDM]) at each visit based on glucose, HbA1c, medications, and self-report. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to create factors that were compared across groups cross-sectionally using linear models. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with progression from preDM to DM and for reversion from preDM to noDM. RESULTS: At enrollment, 1605 participants had noDM; 544 had preDM; and 352 had DM. Over 4 years of follow-up, 52 participants with preDM developed DM and 153 participants reverted to noDM. PCA identified 33 factors composed of clusters of clinical variables; these were tested along with eight individual variables identified a priori as being of interest. Six PCA factors and six a priori variables significantly differed between noDM and both preDM and DM after false discovery rate adjustment for multiple comparisons (q < 0.05). Of these, two factors (one comprising glucose measures and one of anthropometry and physical function) demonstrated monotonic/graded relationships across the groups, as did three a priori variables: ASCVD risk, coronary artery calcium, and triglycerides (q < 10-21 for all). Four factors were significantly different between preDM and noDM, but concordant or similar between DM and preDM: red blood cell indices (q = 8 × 10-10), lung function (q = 2 × 10-6), risks of chronic diseases (q = 7 × 10-4), and cardiac function (q = 0.001), along with a priori variables of diastolic function (q = 1 × 10-10), sleep efficiency (q = 9 × 10-6) and sleep time (q = 6 × 10-5). Two factors were associated with progression from prediabetes to DM: anthropometry and physical function (OR [95% CI]: 0.6 [0.5, 0.9], q = 0.04), and heart failure and c-reactive protein (OR [95% CI]: 1.4 [1.1, 1.7], q = 0.02). The anthropometry and physical function factor was also associated with reversion from prediabetes to noDM: (OR [95% CI]: 1.9 [1.4, 2.7], q = 0.02) along with a factor of white blood cell indices (OR [95% CI]: 0.6 [0.4, 0.8], q = 0.02), and the a priori variables ASCVD risk score (OR [95% CI]: 0.7 [0.6, 0.9] for each 0.1 increase in ASCVD score, q = 0.02) and triglycerides (OR [95% CI]: 0.9 [0.8, 1.0] for each 25 mg/dl increase, q = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PBHS participants with preDM demonstrated pathophysiologic changes in cardiac, pulmonary, and hematology measures and declines in physical function and sleep measures that precede DM; some changes predicted an increased risk of progression to DM. A factor with measures of anthropometry and physical function was the most important factor associated with progression to DM and reversion to noDM. Future studies may determine whether these changes elucidate pathways of progression to DM and related complications and whether they can be used to identify individuals at higher risk of progression to DM for targeted preventive interventions. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03154346.

The Project Baseline Health Study: a step towards a broader mission to map human health.

The Project Baseline Health Study (PBHS) was launched to map human health through a comprehensive understanding of both the health of an individual and how it relates to the broader population. The study will contribute to the creation of a biomedical information system that accounts for the highly complex interplay of biological, behavioral, environmental, and social systems. The PBHS is a prospective, multicenter, longitudinal cohort study that aims to enroll thousands of participants with diverse backgrounds who are representative of the entire health spectrum. Enrolled participants will be evaluated serially using clinical, molecular, imaging, sensor, self-reported, behavioral, psychological, environmental, and other health-related measurements. An initial deeply phenotyped cohort will inform the development of a large, expanded virtual cohort. The PBHS will contribute to precision health and medicine by integrating state of the art testing, longitudinal monitoring and participant engagement, and by contributing to the development of an improved platform for data sharing and analysis.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement for patients with severe bicuspid aortic stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with bicuspid aortic valve stenosis (BAV) were excluded from all the trileaflet aortic valve stenosis (TAV) pivotal trials, and therefore, their outcomes are not clearly defined. The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with BAV and compared them with those of TAV. METHODS: We evaluated the outcomes following TAVR of patients with BAV at our institution between April 2011 and November 2016 and compared them with the outcomes of patients with TAV treated with TAVR. The χ2 and the Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare the groups, and a Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to estimate long-term survival. RESULTS: TAVR was performed in a total of 567 patients, from which 50 (8.8%) had BAV and 517 (91.2%) had TAV. Patients with BAV were younger and had higher prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lower prevalence of coronary artery disease, higher body mass index, and lower Society of Thoracic Surgeons score (STS PROM). Patients with BAV had a slightly higher mean aortic valve gradient postoperatively (median 12 mm Hg [10-15] vs 10 [7-13], P < .001), but paravalvular aortic regurgitation was not different between the groups (> mild 4.0% vs 3.5%, P = .541). Clinical outcomes were not different between the groups, including stroke (2.0% vs 1.5, P = .567) and the 30-day all-cause mortality (6.0% vs 1.5, P = .064). The 2-year survival (82.0% vs 83.4, P = .476) was similar between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: This initial experience suggests that TAVR can be safely performed in patients with BAV, achieving similar short-term procedural and clinical outcomes when compared with patients with TAV.

Trends and Outcomes of Alternative-Access Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

BACKGROUND: Alternative access (AA) is still required for a significant proportion of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We sought to compare the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing AA vs transfemoral (TF) access. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the outcomes of patients undergoing AA-TAVR between April 2011 and November 2016, and compared them with those who had TF-TAVR. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U-tests were used to compare the groups and Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to estimate long-term survival. RESULTS: TAVR was performed in a total of 600 patients, of which 78 (13%) had AA and 522 (87%) had TF access. Patients undergoing AA were younger, and had higher prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, peripheral vascular disease, prior myocardial infarction, and prior sternotomy. Greater than mild paravalvular regurgitation (4.2% vs 0.0%; P=.04) and unplanned vascular surgery (5.4% vs 1.3%; P=.09) were more frequent in the TF group. However, patients who underwent AA had longer hospital stay (median 4 days [interquartile range, 3-7 days] vs 3 days [interquartile range, 3-4 days]; P<.001) and an increased incidence of prolonged ventilation (5.1% vs 1.3%; P=.06), 30-day all-cause (5.1% vs 1.7%; P=.08), and cardiovascular mortality (5.1% vs 1.3%; P=.04). The 6-month (15.7% vs 5.7%; P<.01) and 12-month (16.7% vs 10.2%; P=.07) mortality rates were higher for patients undergoing AA. The usage of AA significantly decreased over time (P=.01), primarily driven by a decrease in transapical (P<.001) and direct aortic access (P=.02). CONCLUSIONS: AA-TAVR is associated with an increased incidence of postoperative adverse events, including mortality, when compared with those undergoing TF access.