One-year real-world outcomes for patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve repair: the Gulf MTEER registry (GULF Mitral Transcatheter Edge to Edge Repair).

BACKGROUND: Severe mitral regurgitation (MR) with left ventricular dysfunction portends worse outcomes. Over the course of the last two decades, transcatheter repair of the mitral valve offered an alternative therapeutic modality for those deemed inoperable or high risk. Landmark studies such as the Cardiovascular Outcomes Assessment of the MitraClip Percutaneous Therapy for Heart Failure Patients With Functional Mitral Regurgitation and Multicentre Study of Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair MitraClip Device in Patients With Severe Secondary Mitral Regurgitation trials have shown conflicting results with respect to all-cause death and heart failure rehospitalisations. The Gulf Mitral Transcatheter Edge to Edge Repair registry (Gulf MTEER registry) is a regional registry that captured outcomes in those undergoing transcatheter repair of the mitral valve. The objectives of this study were to describe the baseline characteristics of patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve repair in the Gulf region and estimate the cardiovascular effects of the mitral transcatheter therapies in routine practice. METHODS: The Gulf MTEER registry is an observational, multicentre, retrospective registry that enrolled all patients undergoing transcatheter repair of the mitral valve from four of the Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman) between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2019. Baseline characteristics, echocardiographic parameters and immediate procedural success were reported. The primary outcome was a composite of death and rehospitalisations at 1 year. The secondary outcomes were the individual components of the composite endpoint; that is, death and rehospitalisations at 1 year as well as residual or recurrent MR or worsening New York Heart Association class and a need for repeat repair. RESULTS: A total of 176 patients were enrolled. Men constituted 56.3% of the total. At 1 year the primary outcome occurred in 21.1% (95% CI 15.6, 27.9). The secondary outcomes of death occurred in 5.4% (CI 2.9, 10.0) and rehospitalisations occurred in 16.9% (CI 11.9, 23.3). Univariate analysis revealed that the odds of having death or re-hospitalisation was two times higher if the effective regurgitant orifice (ERO) >40 mm2 irrespective of the therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The Gulf MTEER registry is the first registry in the Gulf region defining the patient population receiving MTEER therapies and evaluating 1-year outcomes. This is a low risk cohort with a high rate of immediate procedural success and low rate of all-cause death and rehospitalisations at 1 year. The odds of an event was two times higher if the ERO ≥40 mm2 with only a signal to higher odds for low left ventricular ejection fraction and larger end systolic dimension.

One-Year Outcomes for Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: The Gulf TAVR Registry.

BACKGROUND: The use of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is steadily increasing with TAVR procedures offered to patients across the entire spectrum of surgical risks. The Gulf TAVR registry captures the demographics of patients undergoing TAVR in the Gulf region, comorbidities that drive outcomes, procedural success, complications, and one-year outcomes of death or rehospitalization. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study for adult patients aged at least 18 years undergoing TAVR at eight centers in the Gulf region. The primary outcome was a composite of death or re-hospitalization at one-year. Secondary outcomes included the individual components of the composite, stroke, and myocardial infarction (MI). We used multivariable Cox regression to determine factors associated with the composite endpoint. RESULTS: A total of 795 patients (56% male) were included in the final analysis with a mean age of 74.6 (standard deviation (SD) 8.9) years, Society of Thoracic Surgeons Score (STS) Score 4.9 (4.2), ejection fraction of 53% (12.7%). Transfemoral approach was employed in over 95% (762/795). The primary outcomes rate was 12.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.6-15.4); secondary endpoints were death 5.4% (95% CI 4.0-7.2); stroke 0.8% (95% CI 0.3, 1.7), MI 0.8% (95% CI 0.4-1.9), rehospitalization: 9.3% (95% CI 7.5-11.5) of whom 71.6% were related to cardiovascular causes. 77% of the cardiovascular admissions were attributable to heart failure or the need for pacemaker implantation. Stage IV or V chronic kidney disease was significantly associated with the primary composite endpoint (Hazard Ratio: 2.49, [95% CI: 1.31, 4.73], p = 0.005). Although not significant, paravalvular leak and severe left ventricular dysfunction showed a 2-fold and 3-fold increased risk for the composite endpoint, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Gulf TAVR registry is the first of its kind in the region. It profiles an elderly population with a high procedural success rate and a low rate of complications. One-year outcomes were primarily driven by repeat hospitalization for heart failure and pacemaker implantation indicating a need to optimize heart failure management and improve algorithms for the detection of conduction abnormalities.

Role of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography in Acute Coronary Syndromes During the COVID-19 Pandemic-Single Center Snapshot Study.

Background: In clinical practice, cardiac computed tomography (CCT) has a limited role in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Several trials evaluated CCT in low and intermediate risk patients presenting to the emergency room (ER) and noted that it was both safe and feasible. During the COVID19 pandemic, it is imperative to adopt a pathway for the evaluation of ACS that permits early discharge, reduces invasive coronary angiography and limits exposure of healthcare workers. Here, we present a single center experience by which CCT was incorporated in the clinical pathway of patients presenting to the ER with chest pain and ACS. Methods: This is a snapshot study of the first 27 patients who underwent CCT immediately after the lockdown in the city of Jeddah. ST elevation myocardial infarctions and hemodynamically unstable patients were excluded. Those with unstable angina or a Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction were screened for COVID19. The patients' COVID19 status and the results of the CCT were then used to determine the treatment strategy. Patient predisposition, hospital stay and exposure of staff are collected and reported. Results: All CCT images were interpretable with no limitations or significant artifact. CCT identified critical disease in 7 patients (26%), normal epicardial coronary arteries in 11 (41%) and mild to moderate disease in 9 (33%). All patients with normal or mild to moderate disease were assigned to a conservative strategy and discharged within 24 h. Those with a NSTEMI and critical anatomy were assigned to an additional invasive evaluation with subsequent revascularization. During the course of this study, no transmission to healthcare workers occurred. Conclusion: CCT enabled 80% of patients to be discharged within the first 24 h, the majority of whom were discharged from the emergency room. It was able to identify critical anatomy facilitating appropriate revascularization. This snapshot study warrants exploration of the role of CCT in ACS further particularly since the latest European Society of Cardiology's Non-STEACS guidelines suggest a role for CCT in the evaluation of low risk ACS.

Management of Acute Coronary Syndrome During the MERS-CoV Outbreak - Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: During the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreak of 2014, tertiary care cardiac centers shouldered the responsibility of caring for patients presenting with Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS). This entailed designing algorithms that ensured timely management of patients with ACS in the setting of an emerging novel viral infection that was rapidly spreading within the community with a high infectivity and case fatality rate. The objective of this study is to describe a single center experience and the adopted pathway for the management of ACS. METHODS: This is a single center retrospective observational study of all patients who were admitted between March 1, 2014 and May 31, 2014 with an ACS. Total ACS admissions, bed turnover, procedures and healthcare personnels' infection rates were obtained from the annual statistics database and employee health records. All baseline characteristics, therapy received, outcomes and MERS-CoV status were obtained from the chart review. RESULTS: A total of 148 patients with a diagnosis of ACS were admitted during that period of time. Of those, 59 had STEMI, 42 had NSTEMI and 47 had unstable angina. PCI was performed in 74, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in 28 and conservative therapy was prescribed for 46 patients. The bed turnover was no higher than the previous or subsequent two months suggesting no change in practice. The infection rate of MERS-CoV was zero for healthcare workers. CONCLUSIONS: In times of a national health crisis it is imperative that best practices are upheld to sustain existing resources, reduce bed occupancy and preserve medical personnel. A key component of such a strategy depends on assigning centers dedicated to isolating and treating the highly infectious disease outbreak while allowing other centers to provide expeditious cardiac care.

STEMI and COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia.

The COVID-19 pandemic had significant impact on health care worldwide which has led to a reduction in all elective admissions and management of patients through virtual care. The purpose of this study is to assess changes in STEMI volumes, door to reperfusion, and the time from the onset of symptoms until reperfusion therapy, and in-hospital events between the pre-COVID-19 (PC) and after COVID-19 (AC) period. All acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) cases were retrospectively identified from 16 centers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 period from January 01 to April 30, 2020. These cases were compared to a pre-COVID period from January 01 to April 30, 2018 and 2019. One thousand seven hundred and eighty-five patients with a mean age 56.3 (SD ± 12.4) years, 88.3% were male. During COVID-19 Pandemic the total STEMI volumes was reduced (28%, n = 500), STEMI volumes for those treated with reperfusion therapy was reduced too (27.6%, n= 450). Door to balloon time < 90 minutes was achieved in (73.1%, no = 307) during 2020. Timing from the onset of symptoms to the balloon of more than 12 hours was higher during 2020 comparing to pre-COVID 19 years (17.2% vs <3%, respectively). There were no differences between the AC and PC period with respect to in-hospital events and the length of hospital stay. There was a reduction in the STEMI volumes during 2020. Our data reflected the standard of care for STEMI patients continued during the COVID-19 pandemic while demonstrating patients delayed presenting to the hospital.

Left Main Coronary Artery Interventions.

The management of left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease has evolved over the past two decades. Historically, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery has been the gold standard for the treatment of LMCA disease. However, with the advancements in percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) and stent technology, PCI in select patients has achieved comparable outcomes to CABG. As such, this has led to changes in the American College of Cardiology and European Society of Cardiology guidelines, which recommend that PCI might be an alternative to CABG in select patients. In this review article, we describe the historical perspective and early experience with coronary interventions of LMCA disease, landmark clinical trials and their effect on guidelines, and the role of intravascular imaging in the management of LMCA lesions.

TAVR in Patients with a Low STS Score: A Cohort Study with a Mean Follow Up of 2 Years.

BACKGROUND: Partner 2 and SURTAVI trials (mean STS score of 5.8 and 4.5) support extending TAVR into the intermediate risk group. We present our results of TAVR in a group with mean STS score of 2.9 and 2 year follow up. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study of 46 consecutive patients undergoing TAVR between 2011 and 2016. All patients had severe symptomatic AS. Age, functional status, coronary disease, co-morbidity and imaging parameters were assessed. Patients were followed up for 12-60 months. RESULTS: 46 patients with a mean age of 75 years were enrolled. Mean EF 56%, mean MG 52 mm Hg and mean PG 87 mm Hg. The mean STS score was 2.9. Forty-two underwent transfemoral and 4 transaortic TAVR. Forty-five of 46 valves were implanted successfully. One patient had moderate perivalvular regurgitation (PVR). Post-procedure mean MG was 11 mm Hg. There was one procedure related stroke and one intraprocedural death. Five patients (10.8%) required a permanent pacemaker. 30-day mortality was 2 of 46 (4.3%). Mean follow up was 28 months. Mean MG at 2 years was 12 mm Hg. Late cardiac mortality occurred in 1 patient. CONCLUSION: TAVR in this group with a low STS score was successful with excellent valve performance. Although the STS score identifies intermediate and high risk patients, it does not account for the overall frailty and limited mobility of many elderly patients placing them at a higher surgical risk despite their low STS scores. A scoring system that captures all such factors is required. Finally, a large scale randomized trial with long term follow up determining the validity of TAVR in truly low risk individuals is necessary.

Discharge Against Medical Advice After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in the United States.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate discharge against medical advice (DAMA) in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and how DAMA affects readmissions. BACKGROUND: DAMA is infrequent but associated with poor patient outcomes. DAMA in the context of PCI has not been described in the published reports. METHODS: The authors analyzed patients in the Nationwide Readmission Database between 2010 and 2014 with a PCI procedure who were either discharged home or against medical advice. The primary endpoint was all-cause 30-day readmissions and their causes. Descriptive statistics were used to compare DAMA with patients discharged home, and multiple logistic regressions were used to determine patient characteristics associated with DAMA and readmission. RESULTS: Among the 2,021,104 patients in the analysis, the proportion of patients who DAMA was 0.5% (n = 10,049). The 30-day readmission rate for patients who were DAMA and those discharged home was 16.8% and 8.5%, respectively (p < 0.001). Important predictors of DAMA included diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (odds ratio [OR]: 1.37; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25 to 1.51; p < 0.001), smoking (OR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.57 to 1.86; p < 0.001), drug abuse (OR: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.60 to 2.06; p < 0.001), and alcohol misuse (OR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.32 to 1.78; p < 0.001). DAMA was the strongest predictor for readmission (OR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.71 to 2.08; p < 0.001). DAMA patients were more likely to have neuropsychiatric reasons for noncardiac causes of readmission (8.3% vs. 2.4%) and acute myocardial infarction for cardiac causes of readmission (39.4% vs. 19.5%) compared with patients discharged home. CONCLUSIONS: DAMA occurs in approximately 0.5% of patients following PCI and is strongly associated with readmission within 30 days. Interventions should be developed to reduce DAMA in high-risk groups and initiate interventions to avoid complications and readmission when it occurs.

Effect of Comorbidity On Unplanned Readmissions After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (From The Nationwide Readmission Database).

It is unclear how comorbidity influences rates and causes of unplanned readmissions following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We analyzed patients in the Nationwide Readmission Database who were admitted to hospital between 2010 and 2014. The comorbidity burden as defined by the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Primary outcomes were 30-day readmission rates and causes of readmission according to comorbidity burden. A total of 2,294,346 PCI procedures were included the analysis. The patients in CCI = 0, 1, 2 and ≥3 were 842,272(36.7%), 701,476(30.6%), 347,537(15.1%) and 403,061(17.6%), respectively. 219,227(9.6%) had an unplanned readmission within 30 days and rates by CCI group were 6.6%, 8.6%, 11.4% and 15.9% for CCI groups 0, 1, 2 and ≥3, respectively. The CCI score was also associated with greater cost (cost of index PCI for not readmitted vs readmitted was CCI = 0 $21,257 vs $19,764 and CCI ≥ 3 $26,736 vs $27,723). Compared to patients with CCI = 0, greater CCI score was associated with greater independent odds of readmission (CCI = 1 OR 1.25(1.22-1.28), p < 0.001, CCI ≥ 3 OR 2.08(2.03-2.14), p < 0.001). Rates of non-cardiac causes for readmissions increased with increasing CCI group from 49.4% in CCI = 0 to 57.1% in CCI ≥ 3. Rates of early unplanned readmission increase with greater comorbidity burden and non-cardiac readmissions are higher among more comorbid patients.

Peripheral Arterial Disease in Women: an Overview of Risk Factor Profile, Clinical Features, and Outcomes.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is the third most common manifestation of cardiovascular disease (CVD), following coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke. PAD remains underdiagnosed and under-treated in women. RECENT FINDINGS: Women with PAD experience more atypical symptoms and poorer overall health status. The prevalence of PAD in women increases with age, such that more women than men have PAD after the age of 40 years. There is under-representation of PAD patients in clinical trials in general and women in particular. In this article, we address the lack of women participants in PAD trials. We then present a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology/risk factor profile, clinical features, treatment, and outcomes. PAD is prevalent in women and its global burden is on the rise despite a decline in global age-standardized death rate from CVD. The importance of this issue has been underlined by the American Heart Association's (AHA) "Call to Action" scientific statement on PAD in women. Large-scale campaigns are needed to increase awareness among physicians and the general public. Furthermore, effective treatment strategies must be implemented.

The cardiac patient during Ramadan and Hajj.

The holy month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. During this month, fasting Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sex from dawn until sunset. Although the Quran exempts sick people from the duty of fasting, it is not uncommon for many heart disease patients to fast during Ramadan. Despite the fact that more than a billion Muslims worldwide fast during Ramadan, there is no clear consensus on its effects on cardiac disease. Some studies have shown that the effects of fasting on stable patients with cardiac disease are minimal and the majority of patients with stable cardiac illness can endure Ramadan fasting with no clinical deterioration. Fasting during Ramadan does not seem to increase hospitalizations for congestive heart failure. However, patients with decompensated heart failure or those requiring large doses of diuretics are strongly advised not to fast, particularly when Ramadan falls in summer. Patients with controlled hypertension can safely fast. However, patients with resistant hypertension should be advised not to fast until their blood pressure is reasonably controlled. Patients with recent myocardial infarction, unstable angina, recent cardiac intervention or cardiac surgery should avoid fasting. Physician advice should be individualized and patients are encouraged to seek medical advice before fasting in order to adjust their medications, if required. The performance of the Hajj pilgrimage is another pillar of Islam and is obligatory once in the lifetime for all adult Muslims who are in good health and can afford to undertake the journey. Hajj is a physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually demanding experience. Medical checkups one or two months before leaving for Hajj is warranted, especially for those with chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease. Patients with heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, serious arrhythmias, unstable angina, recent myocardial infarction, or cardiac surgery should be considered unfit for undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage.

Coronary stent thrombosis in bare metal stents.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of coronary stent thrombosis has reduced with improved techniques and drugs. Nevertheless, clinical trials may not reflect real world practice due to the selective inclusion criteria, regional variations and more complex patients treated in day-to-day practice. We examined the frequency, predisposing factors and outcome of stent thrombosis in unselected patients undergoing bare metal stents. METHODS: All patients undergoing stent implantation are entered into a prospective database. We reviewed the incidence of stent thrombosis in our database for all patients with at least 6 months of follow up. RESULTS: From December 1996 through to December 2002, 1140 consecutive patients underwent a coronary stenting. Stent thrombosis occurred in 9 (0.8%) patients; 7 (78%) presented within 30 days of the procedure, while 2 had late stent thrombosis occurring after 30 days. The vessel was left anterior descending artery in all, 8 (89%) had a recent anterior myocardial infarction prior to the intervention and the mean stent length was 25 mm. CONCLUSION: The incidence of stent thrombosis is approximately 1% in the current era of intervention. Longer stent length in the left anterior descending artery following a recent myocardial infarction, seems to be associated with stent thrombosis.

Biatrial aspergillosis in a patient with immunocompetency.

A 24-year-old man presented with a 24-hour history of pain and numbness in his left arm. The patient's clinical presentation of peripheral embolism was corroborated by angiography. Echocardiographic study showed masses in both right and left atria. Pathologic specimen from the embolus confirmed the diagnosis of aspergillosis.

Non-surgical correction of Lutembacher syndrome.

Lutembacher syndrome is the combination of congenital atrial septal defect and acquired mitral stenosis. The condition is usually treated surgically. We describe a patient treated percutaneously with a combined Inoue balloon valvuloplasty and septal defect closure using the Amplatzer septal occlusion device.