National Trends and Outcomes of Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement With Concomitant Mitral Valve Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Incidence of multivalvular heart disease is increasing, with aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation being the most common. Data are limited on outcomes of patients undergoing multivalvular surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate contemporary trends and in-hospital outcomes for combined surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and mitral valve repair (MVr) or replacement (MVR). METHODS: We identified patient hospitalizations aged ≥18 years who underwent SAVR + MVr or MVR between 2004 and 2018 using the National Inpatient Sample. Data were weighted to estimate national estimates of the entire US hospitalized population. Exclusion criteria included endocarditis, history of heart transplant or left ventricular assist device, and any other concomitant valve surgery. RESULTS: Between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2018, there were 68,882 weighted admissions for SAVR with concomitant mitral valve surgery. Overall, in-hospital mortality was 8.34% with significantly higher inpatient mortality in SAVR + MVR group compared with SAVR + MVr group (9.91% vs 5.57%, p < 0.001). During the study period, adjusted in-hospital mortality decreased in both SAVR + MVr group (p-trend 0.004) and SAVR + MVR group (p-trend <0.001). Age ≥70 years was associated with higher in-hospital mortality compared to those < 70 years (9.95% vs 6.70%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Combined aortic and mitral valve surgery is associated with a high risk of in-hospital mortality, especially in patients ≥ 70 years of age. Further research is needed to assess the role of transcatheter approaches in the treatment of multivalvular heart disease.

Successful treatment of acute heart failure in COVID-19-induced cytokine storm with tocilizumab: a case report.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 is known to induce a cytokine storm, a hyperinflammatory state driven by up-regulation of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and immunomodulatory chemokines that may result in acute heart failure. CASE SUMMARY: A 65-year-old woman with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 developed shock with multiorgan system failure, including acute biventricular heart failure, 2 weeks after the initial onset of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The patient experienced myocardial recovery within 48 h after administration of tocilizumab, a humanized monoclonal anti-IL-6 receptor antibody, and multiple supportive vasoactive medications. DISCUSSION: The differential diagnosis of acute heart failure in critically ill patients with COVID-19 infection is broad, including sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy, Takotsubo syndrome, viral lymphocytic myocarditis, and acute coronary syndrome. Immunomodulatory treatment with tocilizumab may benefit patients who develop cardiogenic shock associated with SARS-CoV-2-induced cytokine storm.

Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Presenting as Bilateral Acute Limb Ischemia and ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Case Report.

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is one of the most common hematologic malignancies. Among them, acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is well known for its coagulopathies. Bleeding secondary to disseminated intravascular coagulation, is a common initial presentation and carries a high risk for mortality if left untreated. Thrombotic complications are uncommon and can be related to treatment with chemotherapeutic agents. Large artery thrombosis is very rare, and standardized management remains elusive given the classic revascularization techniques carry a significant risk of re-thrombosis, as well as high risk for mortality given the multiple surgical and percutaneous interventions that are attempted. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary in these cases to carefully weigh the risk and benefits as the classical approach to revascularization and acute arterial thrombosis could potentially cause harm.