Percutaneous Intracardiac Mass Extraction in High Surgical-Risk Patients.

Large intracardiac masses including tumors, thrombi, and vegetations result in detrimental embolic or obstructive sequelae and present a management dilemma. Open heart surgery, the traditional approach, may not be an option for many patients with a prohibitive surgical risk due to multiple comorbidities. Recently, percutaneous options have emerged with reported success in extracting such intracardiac masses. A 42-year-old female with history of advanced primary sclerosing cholangitis with decompensated liver cirrhosis causing ascites and variceal bleed presented to the emergency department with fatigue, subjective fevers, chills and melena. Laboratory results revealed neutrophil-predominant leukocytosis and normocytic anemia, and blood cultures were positive for Candida albicans. Electrocardiography showed sinus tachycardia. Chest X-ray was unremarkable. She underwent packed red blood cell transfusion and esophageal banding for variceal bleeding. Transthoracic echocardiogram revealed normal left ventricular ejection fraction and no wall motion abnormalities. A right atrial mobile mass measuring approximately 1.0 × 3.0 cm was noted. Multidisciplinary heart team discussion concluded that while the mass posed a high embolic risk, the patient had a prohibitive risk for surgical intervention. Successful percutaneous removal of the mass using Penumbra system device (Penumbra Incorporated, Alameda, CA) was accomplished. This case report details the procedure and outcomes, as well as presents a literature review.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Cholangiopathy: Case Series of Three Patients and Literature Review.

Cholangiopathy in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is being less frequently reported since antiretroviral therapy (ART) is available. It is associated with an advanced disease and seen in situations with poor access or non-compliance with ART. Liver biopsy is thought to have low yield in cases of AIDS cholangiopathy, but it can be an important tool in diagnosis, especially early in the course of the disease. The prognosis of AIDS cholangiopathy is generally not favorable, the therapy for opportunistic infections is mostly ineffective and restoration of immune system with ART remains the therapy of choice. We are sharing our experience of diagnosing and managing three cases of AIDS cholangiopathy.

Assessment of independent clinical predictors of early readmission after percutaneous endoluminal left atrial appendage closure with the Watchman device using National Readmission Database.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous endoluminal left atrial appendage closure (pLAAC) procedure has been used to prevent strokes in patients who are not eligible for long-term prophylactic anticoagulation. Since its approval, multiple studies have looked at its efficacy with comparable outcomes to anticoagulation, the current standard of care. OBJECTIVES: To assess the readmission rate and determine the factors associated with readmission after the endocardial pLAAC procedure using the Watchman device. METHODS: Data was obtained from the National Readmission Database (NRD), and we used SPSS software to determine statistically significant clinical predictors affecting readmission after implantation of the Watchman device at 30 days. RESULTS: The rate of readmission was found to be 9.2%. The true median cost of index hospitalization for the total population in the study was found to be [median (interquartile range = IQR), p] USD 24594 (USD 18883-31,041), whereas the true median cost of admission for those who were getting readmitted after 30 days was [median (IQR)] USD 7699 (USD 4955-14,243). Multivariate analysis of all clinically relevant predictors showed adjusted ratio for [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (95% CI), p-value] female genders (1.288, 1.104-1.503, p = 0.001), discharge to home health care (6.155, 1.509-25.096, p = 0.01), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (1.847,1.511-2.258, p < 0.001), chronic lung disease (1.419, 1.194-1.686, p < 0.001), heart failure (1.280, 1.040-1.574, p = 0.02), pericardial disorders (1.485, 1.011-2.179, p = 0.04), fluid and electrolyte disorders (1.456,1.050-2.018, p = 0.02) in those who were getting readmitted at 30-days compared to those who were not readmitted. The median length of stay for the index hospitalization was found to be one day, whereas the median length of stay at the 30-day readmission was reported to be [Median (IQR)] 4 days (2-6 days). Major cardiac reasons for readmission were heart failure, arrhythmias, and pericardial disorders. CONCLUSION: Our study aims to assess 30-day outcomes in the US population after pLAAC using a Watchman device. Our analysis showed that one in ten patients were getting readmitted. In addition, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, and pericardial disorders were associated with higher readmission rates. These findings will help us assess clinical correlations and predict which patients are more at risk of readmission after a Watchman procedure.