Ultrasound-guided deployment of ProGlide™ device in transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation and risk reduction of vascular complications: A propensity-matched cohort study.

BACKGROUND: ProGlide is a percutaneous suture-mediated closure device used in arterial and venous closure following percutaneous intervention. Risk of vascular complications from use, particularly related to failure in hemostasis, or acute vessel closure, remains significant and often related to improper suture deployment. We describe a technique of ultrasound-guided ProGlide deployment in transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TF-TAVI). AIMS: The aim of this study is to assess vascular outcomes for ultrasound-guided deployment of ProGlide vascular closure devices in patients undergoing TF-TAVI. METHODS: We collected relevant clinical data of patients undergoing TAVI in a large volume centre. PRIMARY OUTCOME: main access Valve Academic Research Consortium 3 (VARC-3) major vascular complication. SECONDARY OUTCOME: any major/minor VARC-3 vascular complication, its type (bleed or ischemia), and treatment required (medical, percutaneous, or surgical). We performed inverse weighting propensity score analysis to compare the population undergoing ultrasound-guided versus conventional ProGlide deployment for main TAVI access. Ultrasound technique for ProGlide insertion was performed as described below. RESULTS: Five hundred and seventeen patients undergoing TF-TAVI were included. PRIMARY OUTCOME: In 126 (ultrasound-guided) and 391 (conventional ProGlide insertion), 0% versus 1.8% (p < 0.001) had a major VARC-3 vascular complication, respectively. SECONDARY OUTCOME: 0.8% (one minor VARC-3 bleed) vs 4.1% (13 bleeds and three occlusions) had any VARC-3 vascular complication (major and minor) (p < 0.001). Surgical treatment of vascular complication was required in 0.8% versus 1.3% (p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided deployment of ProGlide for vascular closure reduced the risk of major vascular complications in a large population undergoing TAVI.

Prognostic value of three iron deficiency definitions in patients with advanced heart failure.

AIMS: There is uncertainty about the definition of iron deficiency (ID) and the association between ID and prognosis in patients with advanced heart failure. We evaluated three definitions of ID in patients referred for heart transplantation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive patients assessed for heart transplantation at a single UK centre between January 2010 and May 2022 were included. ID was defined as (1) serum ferritin concentration of <100 ng/ml, or 100-299 ng/ml with transferrin saturation <20% (guideline definition), (2) serum iron concentration ≤13 µmol/L, or (3) transferrin saturation <20%. The primary outcome measure was a composite of all-cause mortality, urgent heart transplantation or need for mechanical circulatory support. Overall, 801 patients were included, and the prevalence of ID was 39-55% depending on the definition used. ID, defined by either serum iron or transferrin saturation, was an independent predictor of the primary outcome measure (hazard ratio [HR] 1.532, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.264-1.944, and HR 1.595, 95% CI 1.323-2.033, respectively), but the same association was not seen with the guideline definition of ID (HR 1.085, 95% CI 0.8827-1.333). These findings were robust in multivariable Cox regression analysis. ID, by all definitions, was associated with lower 6-min walk distance, lower peak oxygen consumption, higher intra-cardiac filling pressures and lower cardiac output. CONCLUSIONS: Iron deficiency, when defined by serum iron concentration or transferrin saturation, was associated with increased frequency of adverse clinical outcomes in patients with advanced heart failure. The same association was not seen with guideline definition of ID.

Shared decision making in cardiology: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to improve shared decision making (SDM) in cardiology with particular focus on patient-centred outcomes such as decisional conflict. METHODS: We searched Embase (OVID), the Cochrane library, PubMed and Web of Science electronic databases from inception to January 2021 for randomised controlled trials that investigated the effects of interventions to increase SDM in cardiology. The primary outcomes were decisional conflict, decisional anxiety, decisional satisfaction or decisional regret; a secondary outcome was knowledge gained by the patients. RESULTS: Eighteen studies which reported on at least one outcome measure were identified, including a total of 4419 patients. Interventions to increase SDM had a significant effect on reducing decisional conflict (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.211, 95% CI -0.316 to -0.107) and increasing patient knowledge (SMD 0.476, 95% CI 0.351 to 0.600) compared with standard care. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions to increase SDM are effective in reducing decisional conflict and increasing patient knowledge in the field of cardiology. Such interventions are helpful in supporting patient-centred healthcare and should be implemented in wider cardiology practice.

Renal Dysfunction following Direct Current Cardioversion of Atrial Fibrillation: Incidence and Risk Factors.

INTRODUCTION: Emerging data suggest that cardioversion for atrial fibrillation (AF) may be associated with acute kidney injury (AKI). However, limited data are available regarding the incidence and risk factors for AKI after direct current cardioversion (DCCV) of AF. METHODS: All patients undergoing DCCV at Mayo Clinic between 2001 and 2012 for AF were prospectively enrolled in a database. All patients with serum creatinine (SCR) values pre- and post-cardioversion were reviewed for AKI, defined as a ≥25% decline in eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) from baseline value within 7 days of the DCCV. RESULTS: Of the 6,427 eligible patients, 1,256 (19.5%) patients had pre- and post-DCCV SCR available and formed the cohort under study. The mean age was 70.4 (SD 11.7) years, and 67.3% were male. During the study period, 131 (10.4%) patients suffered from AKI following DCCV. AKI was independently associated with inpatient status (OR 26.79; 95% CI 3.69-194.52), CHA2DS2-VASc score (OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.11-1.41), prior use of diuretics (OR 1.59; 95% CI 1.03-2.46), and absence of CKD (OR 1.61; 95% CI 1.04-2.49), and was independent of the success of the DCCV. None of the patients required acute dialysis during the study outcome period. CONCLUSION: AKI following DCCV of AF is common, self-limited, and without the need for replacement therapies.