Penicillin-resistant gonorrheal endocarditis presenting with large annular abscess and aortic valve destruction.

Disseminated gonorrheal infections with cardiac involvement are rare, with fewer than 100 cases reported. The increasing prevalence of gonococcal infections and increasing antibiotic resistance represent a concerning challenge to public health. Here we report a case of antibiotic-resistant gonococcal endocarditis presenting with cardiogenic shock and discuss principles of diagnosis and treatment.

Echocardiographic Parameters and Outcomes in Methamphetamine-Associated Heart Failure: A Propensity Score-Weighted Analysis.

Background: Methamphetamines are a common cause of systolic heart failure (HF). There are limited data on the prognosis associated with hospitalizations for decompensated HF in the setting of methamphetamine use. We aimed to evaluate patient characteristics and outcomes among patients admitted with decompensated HF who had positive drug screens for amphetamines as well as to determine whether any parameters from transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) can predict outcomes in this population. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of consecutive adult patients admitted to the Loma Linda Medical Center who had an active hospital problem of acute on chronic systolic (or systolic and diastolic) HF from 2013 to 2018. Electronic medical records were mined for relevant patient data. Methamphetamine-associated heart failure (MethHF) group was defined as those with an admission urine drug screen (UDS) that was positive for methamphetamines, whereas non-MethHF was defined by patients with negative methamphetamine on UDS or UDS was not done on physician's discretion. The primary outcomes of the study were 30-day composite outcome (defined as combined all-cause readmission and all-cause mortality), 365-day all-cause mortality, and length of stay (LOS). Propensity score weighting for these outcomes was performed using demographics, laboratory and clinical variables, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) as covariates. TTE parameters from presentation were also evaluated to determine if any had prognostic implications. Results: A total of 1,655 patients were included (101 patients with positive urine methamphetamine and 1,554 patients without). Patients with MethHF were younger, more likely to be male, had fewer comorbidities, had lower LVEF, and were more likely to have right ventricular systolic dysfunction. In propensity-weighted analyses, there were no significant differences in LOS, 30-day composite outcome, or 365-day mortality between the MethHF and non-MethHF group in (P > 0.05 for all). Presence of at least moderate tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) was the only TTE predictor of 30-day composite outcome (odds ratio (OR) = 4.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.5 - 14.50, P < 0.01) and 365-day mortality (OR = 4.67, 95% CI: 1.5 - 14.50, P < 0.01) in the MethHF group. Conclusion: Patients with MethHF admitted for decompensated HF had similar outcomes compared to non-MethHF after adjusting for baseline characteristics. TR is the only TTE value to predict outcomes in this population.

Trial of Oral Diuretics Prior to Discharge Is Not Associated With Improved Outcomes in Decompensated Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Current heart failure guidelines recommend transition of intravenous (IV) diuretics to oral > 24 h prior to hospital discharge. The aim of this study was to determine whether transition to oral diuretics prior to discharge in patients hospitalized with decompensated systolic heart failure (SHF) was associated with improved 30-day events. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study, in which adults admitted to the Loma Linda Medical Center for 3 - 14 days with a primary discharge diagnosis of acute on chronic SHF were included. Mortality data were obtained from the National Death Index, while readmission only to our facility was included. The t-test and Chi-square test were used for analyses. RESULTS: A total of 314 patients were studied. Patients who were managed with guideline-recommended trial of oral diuretics, and patients who continued to receive IV diuretics on the last full hospital day were overall similar in baseline characteristics. Patients who received oral diuretics on the day prior to discharge had longer length of stay, less weight loss, were discharged on lower diuretic doses (all P < 0.05), and had similar outcomes of 30-day readmission and 30-day hospitalization-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: The transition to oral diuretics prior to discharge in patients with decompensated SHF was not associated with improved 30-day outcomes. These results require validation in prospective trials but suggest that guideline recommendations regarding transitioning to oral diuretics prior to discharge may deserve re-evaluation.

Impact of heart transplant allocation change on competing waitlist outcomes among listing strategies.

In 2018, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) adopted a 6-tier system for heart allocation which shifted patterns in listing strategies. The effects of the change on waitlist survival and transplantation rates have yet to be substantiated by analysis of competing outcomes among various listing strategies. This study included all adult patients listed for first-time heart transplantation in UNOS between 10/17/15 and 6/12/20. Clinical characteristics were compared before and after allocation change among various listing strategies: no support, inotropes, intra-aortic balloon pump, durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD), temporary VAD, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Fine-Gray proportional subhazard models were used to estimate the effect of allocation change on competing waitlist outcomes-transplantation, death, or removal from waitlist-among each strategy. During the study period, there were 17 422 patients listed for heart transplantation. Among each listing strategy, clinical characteristics were similar before and after allocation change. Subhazard models demonstrated reduced risk for waitlist mortality (p < .001) among each strategy except temporary VAD and increased transplantation rates (p < .001) among each strategy except for durable LVAD. These results validate the association of the new allocation system on waitlist outcomes across listing strategies.

The New Era of Cardiogenic Shock: Progress in Mechanical Circulatory Support.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In recent decades, multiple left and right ventricular assist devices (VAD) have been developed, and the utilization of these devices has grown exponentially. We discuss the most common temporary mechanical circulatory support (tMCS) devices used for patients in cardiogenic shock, including the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), transvalvular axial flow support systems (Impella®), the Tandem™ collection, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). RECENT FINDINGS: In 2018 the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) introduced new listing criteria for candidates awaiting heart transplantation in the USA. Analysis of the first 1300 transplants under these new listing criteria has shown that higher-risk patients are now undergoing transplantation. As technology has advanced, becoming more sophisticated and miniaturized, a new era has emerged with more rapidly deployable tMCS devices. For some patients presenting in cardiogenic shock, support with these tMCS devices can be a bridge to a more durable option. For others, their only option may be support with the hope of native cardiac recovery. Understanding the pros and cons of each device can lead to most appropriate utilization for the ultimate intended goal.

Advanced heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Patients suffering advanced heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) account for a large portion of patients admitted to hospitals worldwide. Mortality and 30-day readmission rates for HFrEF are now a focus of value-based payment models, making management of this disease a priority for hospitals, physicians, and payers alike. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors have been the cornerstone of therapy for decades. However, with treatment, the prognosis for patients with advanced HFrEF remains poor. Fortunately, advances in medical therapy and mechanical support offer some patients improvement in both survival and quality of life. We review advances in short- and long-term mechanical support and explore changes to organ allocation for cardiac transplantation. In addition, we provide a guide to facilitate appropriate referral to an advanced heart failure team.

Differential responses to larger volume intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation: Hemodynamic and clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: Examine hemodynamic and clinical correlates of use of an intra-aortic balloon pump catheter in a single center. BACKGROUND: The intra-aortic balloon pump catheter (IABC) has been used for 50 years but the clinical benefit is still debated. We reviewed 76 patients with right heart catheter measurements prior to IABC to assess response and outcomes. METHODS: All patients who received IABC with a 50cc balloon for at least 1 hour were included in this retrospective chart review study. Demographics, comorbidities, lab values, and hemodynamic parameters were recorded at baseline and 15 h postinsertion. RESULTS: Seventy-six patients had paired measurements of cardiac output. 60 patients had a higher cardiac output with IABC treatment (responder group) and 16 did not (nonresponders). In the 60 patients in the responder group, cardiac output and index significantly increased from baseline 3.6 ± 1.3 L/min to 5.2 ± 1.8 L/min, and 1.8 ± 0.5 L/min/m2 to 2.6 ± 0.8 L/min/m2 respectively following IABC placement (P < 0.0001 for both comparisons). Various hemodynamic variables were examined and the best predictor of response to IABC was a cardiac power index of 0.3 or less. Regardless of response, in hospital survival was similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients improve their cardiac output with IABC but survival was unchanged. Further work into the pathophysiology of cardiogenic shock is needed.

A single center tertiary care experience utilizing the large volume mega 50cc intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation in contemporary clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical outcomes and adverse events utilizing the large volume 50cc intra-aortic balloon (IAB) in contemporary clinical practice. BACKGROUND: The newer large volume 50cc IAB, recently introduced into clinical practice offers improved diastolic augmentation and better left ventricular (LV) unloading compared to the older 40cc IAB. METHODS: In 150 consecutive patients who received intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABC) with a 50cc balloon from 2011 to 2015, we retrospectively analyzed demographic, clinical, laboratory, and hemodynamic variables, adverse events and survival to discharge from index hospitalization. RESULTS: Median LVEF was 20%. The most common indication was cardiogenic shock (CS) in 100 patients. Median duration of IABC was 92.5 hr. 95% of patients were free of any IAB device related complications. Five patients received a transfusion for bleeding causally related to IABC. 70 of the 150 patients who received MCS with IABC with no escalation of therapy, recovered and were discharged alive. Fifteen patients were stabilized on IABC and bridged to orthotopic heart transplant. All 15 were discharged alive. Thirty-four patients were initiated on IABC and escalated to VAD and/or Impella/Tandem Heart, with 24 patients surviving to hospital discharge. Overall survival to hospital discharge for the 150 patients was 72.7%. CONCLUSION: IABC using a larger volume 50cc balloon appears effective as a first line percutaneous MCS strategy in a large fraction of critically ill cardiac patients with few adverse events. A large scale registry or randomized clinical trial utilizing the larger volume IAB is needed to validate our results. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.