Comparison of Figure-of-Eight Suture and Perclose ProGlide Suture-Mediated Closure in Large Bore Venous Access Hemostasis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Suture-mediated closure device and Figure-of-Eight suture are commonly used to achieve hemostasis after use of large bore venous access. Although both methods of closure are commonly used in clinical practice, a head-to-head comparison in a controlled setting has not been performed. Patients presenting to a single center for elective left atrial appendage occlusion or transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair were randomized to large bore venous closure using the Perclose ProGlide suture-based closure or a Figure-of-Eight suture closure. The patients were followed for 1 month after the procedure. Primary outcome, a composite of access site large ecchymosis, hematoma, infection, pain, need for unscheduled venous ultrasound and need for transfusion, was compared between the 2 arms. A total of 40 patients were randomized in a 1:1 fashion to the 2 venous closure strategies. Baseline characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. Perclose ProGlide arm required use of more devices for hemostasis (1.5 ± 0.5 vs 1 ± 0 respectively, p <0.0001), and there was a significant difference in the cost of closure device ($367.00 ± 122.00 vs $1.00 ± 0 respectively, p <0.001). At 1 month post-procedure, the primary outcome occurred in 4 patients (20%) in the Perclose arm and 7 (35%) patients in the Figure-of-Eight arm, a difference that was not statistically significant (p = 0.48). Time to hemostasis between Figure-of-Eight and Perclose arms did not reach statistical significance (2.5 ± 2.1 vs 3.7 ± 2.3, p = 0.09). In conclusion, both Perclose ProGlide suture-based device and Figure-of-Eight closure are equally feasible and safe for patients who underwent large bore venous access. Figure-of-Eight-based closure is more cost effective.

A Rare Iatrogenic Trio: Pneumopericardium, Pneumoperitoneum, and Pericarditis.

We present a rare case of iatrogenic pneumopericardium, pneumoperitoneum, and Escherichia coli pericarditis after emergency pericardiocentesis for pericardial tamponade. The patient had profound bowel distention at the time of the procedure that led to iatrogenic pericardioperitoneal fistula formation along with transverse colon perforation, which manifested later after pericardial drain removal. This condition required repeat pericardiocentesis, laparoscopic colon repair, a long course of antibiotics, and an eventual pericardial window. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

Feasibility of Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair for Non-A2P2 Mitral Regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: MitraClip is approved for treatment of both degenerative and functional mitral regurgitation (MR). The landmark trials for this device included only patients with A2P2 location of MR. Initial commercial experience showed A2P2 location was associated with higher technical success as compared with non-A2P2 location. We intended to compare technical success of A2P2 vs non-A2P2 MitraClip procedures in terms of residual MR and transmitral gradient (TMG) in the contemporary setting as the operator experience has increased. A total of 159 patients with complete data were included in the study. A total of 129 patients were in the A2P2 MitraClip group and 30 patients were in the non-A2P2 MitraClip group. Post implantation, there was a significant increase in TMG in both A2P2 and non-A2P2 groups (0.73 ± 1.42 and 0.94 ± 1.85, respectively; both P<.01). However, postimplantation TMG was not different between the 2 groups (3.6 ± 1.9 A2P2 vs 3.7 ± 1.7 non-A2P2; P=.56) and there was no difference in residual MR (P=.40). At 1-month follow-up of 82 patients (64 A2P2 and 18 non-A2P2), the results were similar; TMG (3.7 ± 1.6 A2P2 vs 3.7 ± 2.1 non-A2P2; P=.96) and residual MR (P=.41). Our data showed similar technical success of MitraClip procedures in both types of MR.

Diagnosing Cardiac Amyloidosis: From Heart Failure to Electrical Storm.

Cardiac amyloidosis is a condition when amyloid fibers are deposited in the extracellular space of the heart causing tachyarrhythmias, heart failure, or sudden cardiac death. We present a 71-year-old woman presenting with dyspnea on admission. Echocardiogram revealed diastolic heart failure and left ventricular hypertrophy with strain pattern concerning for an infiltrative process. She was discharged with diuretic therapy and scheduled for a cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. One week after discharge, she was readmitted with progressive shortness of breath and syncope. She was found to be in shock and had multiple episodes of cardiac arrest with both ventricular tachycardia and pulseless electrical activity. She developed electrical storm and eventually passed within 24 hours. Autopsy revealed gross cardiomegaly and left ventricular hypertrophy with Congo red staining revealing amyloid fibrils with apple-green birefringence. This case demonstrates the rapid progression of cardiac amyloidosis from acute-onset diastolic heart failure to uncontrollable ventricular tachycardia, and eventually death. We review the literature regarding multiple diagnostic modalities that facilitate the confirmation of cardiac amyloidosis.

Haemodynamic Interplay Between Concomitant Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction and Aortic Stenosis.

The authors describe a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with concomitant left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and aortic stenosis. Detailed haemodynamic assessment of the serial lesions was performed. Alcohol septal ablation resulted in a significant reduction of gradients across the left ventricular outflow tract.

Quality of Life Outcomes After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Nonagenarians.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for severe aortic stenosis (AS) is an increasingly prevalent treatment in patients who are intermediate or high risk for surgical intervention. In nonagenarian patients undergoing TAVR, symptomatic relief and quality of life (QoL) outcomes have not been well established. This study explores these outcomes in this patient population that has been underrepresented in landmark clinical trials. METHODS: All patients who underwent TAVR between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2018 at Delray Medical Center were included. The 12-item Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Overall Summary (KCCQ-OS) score was used to assess QoL prior to and 30 days following TAVR in two patient groups: the nonagenarian group (patients ≥90 years old) and the younger group (patients <90 years old). KCCQ-OS scores were compared between these two groups. Frailty assessment included grip strength, gait speed, and activities of daily living. Unadjusted and adjusted analyses (baseline KCCQ-OS score, frailty, and Society of Thoracic Surgery perioperative risk of mortality [STS-PROM] score) were performed to assess the impact of age on QoL outcomes in both groups. RESULTS: Of the total 223 patients included in this study, a total of 46 (20.6%) were nonagenarians and 118 (52.7%) were men. KCCQ-OS scores were lower at baseline and 30-day follow-up in nonagenarians compared with the younger group (P=.70). Age was a significant predictor of 30- day KCCQ-OS in unadjusted and adjusted analyses (adjusted for baseline KCCQ-OS, frailty, and STS-PROM score). Nonagenarians had an average 6.45 points lower 30-day KCCQ-OS scores than the younger patients in adjusted analysis. However, there was a significant clinical improvement in the 30-day KCCQ-OS score in both groups (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that with appropriate patient selection, a significant clinical improvement may be expected with TAVR in nonagenarians.

Aspirin use for cardiovascular disease prevention in the uninsured population.

INTRODUCTION: Aspirin is an effective anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet agent as an irreversible inhibitor of cyclooxygenase. In 2016, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients aged 50-69 years with a 10% or greater 10-year cardiovascular disease risk. Current guidelines for patients with prior myocardial infarction or coronary artery disease recommend aspirin use for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Due to the lack of literature describing adherence to these recommendations in the uninsured patient population, we studied aspirin use for cardiovascular disease prevention in free medical clinics. METHODS: We conducted a cross sectional study of uninsured patients who visited nine free medical clinics in 2016-2017. Data from the records of 8857 patients were combined into a database for analysis. 10-year Framingham risk scores for coronary artery disease were calculated for the 50-69-year-old population to evaluate which patients qualified for aspirin usage. Aspirin use was assessed for patients with prior myocardial infarction or coronary artery disease. RESULTS: In total, 1443 patients met the criteria to take aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease, but just 17% of these patients aged 50-59 years were on the medication. About 15% of the patients aged 60-69 years were taking aspirin. Of the 297 patients who had prior myocardial infarction or coronary artery disease, 50% were taking aspirin for secondary prevention. CONCLUSION: Among the uninsured population, there are low rates of aspirin use for risk reduction of cardiovascular disease. This study demonstrates that improvements are needed to increase adherence to current guidelines and address barriers uninsured patients may face in maintaining their cardiovascular health.

Transcatheter Closure of Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava Draining to Pulmonary Vein: A Rare Entity.

We describe a patient with recurrent embolic strokes who was found to have a persistent left superior vena cava draining into a pulmonary vein. Transcatheter placement of a vascular plug resulted in successful occlusion of the superior vena cava. Repeat bubble study on follow-up imaging was negative for a right-to-left shunt. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).

Store-operated calcium entry in vagal sensory nerves is independent of Orai channels.

Vagal sensory nerves innervate the majority of visceral organs (e.g., heart, lungs, GI tract, etc) and their activation is critical for defensive and regulatory reflexes. Intracellular Ca(2+) is a key regulator of neuronal excitability and is largely controlled by the Ca(2+) stores of the endoplasmic reticulum. In other cell types store-operated channels (SOC) have been shown to contribute to the homeostatic control of intracellular Ca(2+). Here, using Ca(2+) imaging, we have shown that ER depletion in vagal sensory neurons (using thapsigargin or caffeine) in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+) evoked Ca(2+) influx upon re-introduction of Ca(2+) into the extracellular buffer. This store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) was observed in approximately 25-40% of vagal neurons, equally distributed among nociceptive and non-nociceptive sensory subtypes. SOCE was blocked by Gd(3+) but not by the Orai channel blocker SKF96365. We found Orai channel mRNA in extracts from whole vagal ganglia, but when using single cell RT-PCR analysis we found only 3 out of 34 neurons expressed Orai channel mRNA, indicating that Orai channel expression in the vagal ganglia was likely derived from non-neuronal cell types. Confocal microscopy of vagal neurons in 3 day cultures demonstrated rich ER tracker fluorescence throughout axonal and neurite structures and ER store depletion (thapsigargin) evoked Ca(2+) transients from these structures. However, no SOCE could be detected in the axonal/neurite structures of vagal neurons. We conclude that SOCE occurs in vagal sensory neuronal cell bodies through non-Orai mechanisms but is absent at nerve terminals.