Incidence and Predictors of Acute Limb Ischemia in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction-Insight from National Readmission Database.

Acute limb ischemia (ALI) has been a rare complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), however, with the increasing use of mechanical circulatory devices it is seen more frequently. The incidence and predictors of ALI in patients with AMI in contemporary clinical practice are unknown. A retrospective review of patients with index hospitalization for AMI in the Nationwide Readmission Database from 2016 to 2019 was done. We evaluated the annual incidence of ALI and its impact on outcomes. We used multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine predictors of ALI. In 1,283,586 patients with AMI, 3,971 patients (0.31%) had ALI and 365 (0.03%) had limb amputation. The 3 major predictors of ALI were peripheral artery disease (odds ratio [OR] 11.91, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.78 to 13.51), intravascular microaxial left ventricular assist device (OR 4.39, 95% CI 3.86 to 5.00), and veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (OR 4.37, 95% CI 3.19 to 6.01). Intra-aortic balloon pump had a substantially lower predictive ability (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.63 to 2.0, p <0.0001) than other forms of mechanical circulatory support. The mortality rate in patients with ALI was significantly higher than those without ALI (19.49% vs 4.85%, p <0.0001). Patients who developed ALI had higher rates of amputation (1.59% vs 0.02%, p <0.0001). This observational nationwide study showed that ALI is an important complication in patients with AMI and is more frequently seen in patients who have peripheral artery disease, and require a left ventricular assist device or venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. This complication was also associated with significantly higher in-hospital mortality.

Incidence and predictors of acute limb ischemia in acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence and predictors of acute limb ischemia (ALI) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS). METHODS: Patients with index hospitalizations for AMI complicated by cardiogenic shock from 2016 to 2019 in the US National Readmission Database were identified. We evaluated the incidence of ALI and its associated mortality, length of stay, and cost of hospitalization. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine independent predictors of ALI in this population. RESULTS: A total of 84,615 patients had AMI complicated by cardiogenic shock and 1302 (1.54%) developed ALI. The rates of ALI increased from 1.29% in 2016 to 1.66% in 2019 (P ≤ .002). The use of microaxial mechanical circulatory support increased from 2.25% in 2016 to 13.36% in 2019 (P = .0001). The major predictors of ALI included peripheral arterial disease (odds ratio [OR], 7.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.12-8.81), venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (OR, 4.40; 95% CI, 3.19-6.07), and microaxial mechanical circulatory support (OR, 3.12; 95% CI, 2.74-3.55). ALI in patients with cardiogenic shock was associated higher mortality (39.20% vs 33.53%; P ≤ .0001). CONCLUSIONS: This nationwide observational study shows that ALI is an important complication of AMI with cardiogenic shock. This complication is associated with higher mortality. In addition to peripheral artery disease, the use of mechanical circulatory devices was associated with significantly higher rates of ALI.

Aortic Mural Thrombus and Acute Coronary Syndrome in a Patient With Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome.

A 36-year-old woman with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome presented with chest pain and was found to have single-vessel coronary artery disease and an aortic mural thrombus. This case describes unique management with coronary artery bypass and surgical thrombectomy because of the patient's inability to tolerate uninterrupted antiplatelet therapy given her cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

The Longer the Block, the Harder You Fall: Extrinsic Idiopathic Atrioventricular Block Masquerading as Seizures.

History and physical examination are the diagnostic cornerstones of transient loss of consciousness (TLOC). However, details can be scarce and examination unrevealing, thus making the diagnosis elusive. In a case of convulsive TLOC, the initial diagnosis was incorrect, but a fortuitously captured event on telemetry yielded the diagnosis: extrinsic idiopathic atrioventricular block. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.).

Papillary Muscle Rupture Complicating Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Tale of Teamwork.

A 52-year-old man presented with acute onset of chest pain and was found to have an inferolateral ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and acute mitral regurgitation due to papillary muscle rupture. This case describes a rare, potentially fatal mechanical complication of acute myocardial infarction. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.).

Incidentally Diagnosed Anomalous Right Coronary Artery with an Interarterial Course Presenting as Chest Pain.

The frequency of advanced cardiopulmonary imaging has increased the incidence of diagnosis of coronary artery anomalies, but this poses an interesting management dilemma of what to do with them once these anomalies are found. We present the case of a 57-year-old female with a past medical history of postpartum cardiomyopathy, recovered heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (EF), and alcohol use disorder who presented with chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and palpitations. A CT angiogram was performed to rule out pulmonary embolism. No pulmonary embolism was found; however, the CT scan revealed an anomalous right coronary artery originating from the left coronary cusp, which had a malignant interarterial course (ARCA-LCC-IA) with a right dominant pattern of myocardial circulation. Subsequent nuclear stress testing did not show evidence of ischemia. Echocardiogram revealed a recurrently reduced EF of 40%. Our patient poses a management dilemma since she presented with possible angina and was found to have an anomalous right coronary artery (ARCA) with a malignant course, but subsequently she had a negative exercise stress test with nuclear perfusion imaging. We will review the literature on ARCA-LCC-IA and its clinical manifestations both generally and with its connection to this case as well as its management. We discuss the incidence, diagnosis, and management of ARCA-LCC-IA, with a focus on incidentally found lesions.

Evaluation of a guideline directed medical therapy titration program in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

INTRODUCTION: Heart failure is associated with recurrent hospitalizations and high mortality. Guideline directed medical treatment (GDMT), including beta blockers (BBs), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and aldosterone antagonists (AAs) has shown to improve outcomes. Current guidelines recommend the use of these medication classes at maximally tolerated dosages. Despite the evidence, < 25% of patients with heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) are on the appropriate medical regimen titrated to the target doses. As such, we sought to assess the utility of a focused GDMT clinic to reduce this gap. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review through existing patient data in a single center teaching hospital of patients referred to a focused GDMT clinic primarily staffed with heart failure trained nurse specialists, physician assistants and cardiologists. Management guidelines were developed with protocols for the initiation and uptitration of all therapeutic agents considered as GDMT.Our primary objective was to determine whether enrollment into a dedicated nursing led guideline directed medical therapy clinic would increase the proportion of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction on appropriate medications as well as medication dosages in patients, the percentage of patients on the following medications and percentage at target doses: Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Blockers, Evidence Based Beta Blockers, and Aldosterone Antagonists. Our secondary objective was to determine if there was any clinical benefit on objective measures including renal function, hospital admissions, mortality and implantable defibrillator shocks. RESULTS: Between October 2015 and March 2017, 63 patients were identified by requisition forms, in which 61 were able to be identified based on legibility of identifying information. Mean duration of follow up was 264.44 ±â€¯162.68 days over 7 ±â€¯3.94 days. Mean ejection fraction was 21.8 ±â€¯7.3%. New onset cardiomyopathies (diagnosed within 30 days) compiled 21% of the patient population while those with demonstrated cardiomyopathies (> 90 days) compiled 48% of the patient population. Patients with NYHA class III heart failure compiled 65% of the patient population.There was a statistically significant increase in the mean number of GDMT at any dose (2.31 ±â€¯0.76 to 2.74 ±â€¯0.66; p < 0.001) and mean number of GDMT at target doses (0.54 ±â€¯0.79 to 1.52 ±â€¯1.1; p < 0.001). Percentage of the population that were on no target doses at initial visit was 62% which was reduced to 18% after intervention.Clinical improvement was reflected in significant improvement in ejection fraction from 21.8 ±â€¯7.8% to 36.2 ±â€¯14.3% (p < 0.001). Increases in sodium and chloride were statistically small but significant. There a significant reduction in heart failure hospitalizations in comparison to a year prior to after the initial encounter in the clinic (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This pilot study showed that a nurse directed GDMT titration program successfully increased the number of GDMT that patients were able to tolerate in a timely fashion, all the while enhancing ejection fraction, sodium and chloride levels, with a reduction in rehospitalization rates.