Catheter-Induced Left Ventricular Perforation and Cardiac Tamponade During Left Heart Catheterization.

Iatrogenic ventricular perforation of the myocardial wall is a rare but life-threatening complication. It has been described using pulmonary artery catheter, pigtail catheter, and Judkins catheter. Straight wires and catheters can be used to cross the aortic valve for left ventriculogram; however, the risk of perforation is higher compared with J-tip wires. Prompt recognition of cardiac tamponade and pericardial drain insertion is vital, but surgical patch repair may be required for definitive treatment. This case highlights the importance of increased vigilance and prompt management of cardiac tamponade with the use of high-risk equipment during cardiac catheterization.

Tolerability and efficacy of sacubitril/valsartan in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Sacubitril/valsartan has demonstrated reductions in HF hospitalisation, and all-cause mortality in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. AIMS: To assess the tolerability and efficacy of sacubitril/valsartan in an intention to treat patient cohort. METHODS: Sixty-five patients who were commenced on sacubitril/valsartan in 2017 at a major metropolitan centre in Victoria were retrospectively audited. Clinical outcomes and quality of life scores were obtained pre and post sacubitril/valsartan commencement through phone and regular clinic follow up, 6-12 months after commencement of sacubitril/valsartan. RESULTS: Fourteen percent of patients were able to achieve maximal dose (97/103 mg twice daily) whilst 37% remained on 49/51 mg and 23% on 24/26 mg. The mean systolic blood pressure reduced from 118 ± 18 mmHg to 109 ± 15 mmHg with symptomatic hypotension (30%) being the most common side-effect leading to dose reduction or drug cessation. Left ventricular ejection fraction improved from 29.1 ± 9.7% to 33.8 ± 9.9% (P < 0.05) on drug. There was also a significant improvement in quality of life scores; EQ5D-VAS 40 pre versus 67 post sacubitril/valsartan (P < 0.05), and New York Heart Association class (P < 0.05). Importantly, 10 patients lost an existing indication for device based therapy after treatment with sacubitril/valsartan. CONCLUSIONS: Sacubitril/valsartan is a much needed therapeutic advancement in the treatment of HF. Our study indicates it is well tolerated with improvements in cardiac function and symptoms. Sacubitril/valsartan could redefine the definition of 'optimal medical therapy' when assessing patients for device based therapies.

Validation of the "Doorbell Test": A Novel Functional Test of Frailty and Clinical Status After Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) carries a high event rate following discharge. The complex interplay between age, frailty and decongestion may lend itself to a functional test. METHODS: In the doorbell test the patient simulates answering the doorbell. They are timed rising from a recumbent position, bending over twice and walking 10 metres, this time is added to the change in respiratory rate. We aimed to determine if the doorbell test was associated with post ADHF events (death or readmission). The test was performed at hospital discharge, with follow up at 30-days and 1-year. RESULTS: In 74 patients at 30-days there was a 14% event rate. At 1-year there were 40 (54%) events (9 deaths and 31 readmissions, 28 were cardiovascular of which 14 were [heart failure] HF). Amongst those who had an event at 30-days only doorbell test scores were different (58 [36,72] vs 32 [26,53] p < 0.05). One-year (1-year) events were associated with doorbell test scores (47 [29,62] vs 30 [26,42] p < 0.05), body weight (78 kg [68,94] vs 95 [76,105] (p < 0.05), creatinine (134 mmol/L [114, 173] vs 99 [82, 133] p < 0.01) and age (76 years [61,86] vs 67 [53, 73] p < 0.01). Heart failure readmissions were associated with doorbell test scores (56 [46,68] vs 30 [26,47] p < 0.001). Death was associated with body weight (74 kg [69,81] vs 88 [72,101] p < 0.05) and age (83 years [78,86] vs 69 [55,77] p < 0.01). After age stratification, the hazard ratio for heart failure readmission associated with a high doorbell test score was 11.08 (95%C.I. 2.01-61.17 p = 0.006), while the hazard ratio for 1-year cardiovascular readmission was 4.62 (95%C.I. 1.71-12.51 p = 0.003). There was no association with 1-year mortality. CONCLUSION: The doorbell test represents a novel test of multiple domains of the ADHF pre-discharge state and demonstrates an association with 30-day and 1-year rehospitalisation.

Management of atherosclerotic plaque in left internal mammary artery graft five years after angiographic patency: A case report.

BACKGROUND: The left internal mammary artery (LIMA) has demonstrated excellent long-term patency rates when used as a bypass conduit with complications usually occurring in the early postoperative period. The rapid development of de-novo atherosclerosis in a previously non-diseased LIMA, subsequently leading to an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is rarely encountered. CASE SUMMARY: A 67-year-old man with history of triple coronary artery bypass graft (8 years ago) presented to our hospital with an ACS. He had undergone angiography 5 years ago to investigate episodic chest pain and imaging of the LIMA at the time did not demonstrate the atherosclerotic process. Emergent angiography demonstrated a severe diffuse stenosis in the proximal to mid segment of the LIMA, with embolization of a moderate sized thrombus to the distal skip segment. The LIMA stenosis was characterised by overlying haziness, consistent with acute plaque rupture, associated with residual luminal thrombus. The patient was managed with antithrombotic therapy to reduce the thrombus burden until repeat angiography after 72 h. At repeat angiography, the thrombus burden was substantially reduced at the distal skip segment as well as at the proximal to mid LIMA with the demonstration of multiple plaque cavities. This lesion was predilated and a 2.75 mm × 33 mm everolimus-eluting stent was implanted to a final diameter of 3.0 mm. The patient made a good clinical recovery and was discharged after 6 d. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the rapid and late development of atherosclerosis in a graft 5 years after documented patency and the importance for consideration of expectant thrombus management.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy triggered by status epilepticus: case report and literature review.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is acute stress-induced cardiomyopathy with characteristic transient wall motion abnormalities. TC has a clinical presentation similar to an acute coronary syndrome, including chest pain or dyspnoea, ECG changes and elevated cardiac enzymes. TC often occurs after emotional stress. There are approximately 50 TC cases reported related to seizure activity, and our review revealed 15 articles which were associated with status epilepticus. This condition can be a serious complication of seizures. We report a case of TC after status epilepticus in a patient who had been seizure-free for 20 years.

Multi-Tiered Observation and Response Charts: Prevalence and Incidence of Triggers, Modifications and Calls, to Acutely Deteriorating Adult Patients.

BACKGROUND: Observation charts are the primary tool for recording patient vital signs. They have a critical role in documenting triggers for a multi-tiered escalation response to the deteriorating patient. The objectives of this study were to ascertain the prevalence and incidence of triggers, trigger modifications and escalation response (Call) amongst general medical and surgical inpatients following the introduction of an observation and response chart (ORC). METHODS: Prospective (prevalence), over two 24-hour periods, and retrospective (incidence), over entire hospital stay, observational study of documented patient observations intended to trigger one of three escalation responses, being a MER-Medical Emergency Response [highest tier], MDT-Multidisciplinary Team [admitting team], or Nurse-senior ward nurse [lowest tier] response amongst adult general medical and surgical patients. PREVALENCE: 416 patients, 321 (77.2%) being medical admissions, median age 76 years (IQR 62, 85) and 95 (22.8%) Not for Resuscitation (NFR). Overall, 193 (46.4%) patients had a Trigger, being 17 (4.1%) MER, 45 (10.8%) MDT and 178 (42.8%) Nurse triggers. 60 (14.4%) patients had a Call, and 72 (17.3%) a modified Trigger. INCIDENCE: 206 patients, of similar age, of whom 166 (80.5%) had a Trigger, 122 (59.2%) a Call, and 91 (44.2%) a modified Trigger. PREVALENCE and incidence of failure to Call was 33.2% and 68% of patients, respectively, particular for Nurse Triggers (26.7% and 62.1%, respectively). The number of Modifications, Calls, and failure to Call, correlated with the number of Triggers (0.912 [p<0.01], 0.631 [p<0.01], 0.988 [p<0.01]). CONCLUSION: Within a multi-tiered response system for the detection and response to the deteriorating patient Triggers, their Modifications and failure to Call are common, particularly within the lower tiers of escalation. The number of Triggers and their Modifications may erode the structure, compliance, and potential efficacy of structured observation and response charts within a multi-tiered response system.

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with concomitant left ventricular impairment: a systematic review of efficacy and effect on ejection fraction.

INTRODUCTION: Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is an established rhythm control strategy; however, the impact of co-existing LV systolic dysfunction (LVSD) on ablation success is less well understood. This systematic review compiles the outcomes of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with LVSD. METHODS: An electronic database (Pubmed, Scopus, Embase) search using the keywords 'atrial fibrillation AND ablation AND (ventricular dysfunction OR heart failure OR cardiomyopathy)' was performed for English scientific literature up to 01/01/2014. 2484 references were retrieved and evaluated for relevance by three reviewers. Reviews and reference lists of retrieved articles were also examined to ensure all relevant studies were included. Data was extracted from 19 studies, including a total of 914 patients. RESULTS: Single-procedure success in LVSD patients for AF ablation was 56.5% (95% CI: 48%-64%). Overall multiple-procedure (including the use of anti-arrhythmic drugs) in LVSD patients for AF ablation was 81.8% (95% CI: 75%-87%). The mean increase in LVEF following AF ablation was 13.3% (95% CI: 10.8%-15.9%). Seven studies reported improvements in exercise capacity and quality of life information using standardised criteria. The pooled rate of serious adverse events was 5.5% (95% CI: 3.7%-8.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Catheter ablation may be an effective therapy in AF patients with left ventricular systolic impairment, and can be associated with improvements in left ventricular function, quality of life, exercise capacity, and modest rates of serious adverse events.