Cardiac computed tomography post-transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is performed to treat aortic stenosis and is increasingly being utilised in the low-to-intermediate-risk population. Currently, attention has shifted towards long-term outcomes, complications and lifelong maintenance of the bioprosthesis. Some patients with TAVR in-situ may develop significant coronary artery disease over time requiring invasive coronary angiography, which may be problematic with the TAVR bioprosthesis in close proximity to the coronary ostia. In addition, younger patients may require a second transcatheter heart valve (THV) to 'replace' their in-situ THV because of gradual structural valve degeneration. Implantation of a second THV carries a risk of coronary obstruction, thereby requiring comprehensive pre-procedural planning. Unlike in the pre-TAVR period, cardiac CT angiography in the post-TAVR period is not well established. However, post-TAVR cardiac CT is being increasingly utilised to evaluate mechanisms for structural valve degeneration and complications, including leaflet thrombosis. Post-TAVR CT is also expected to have a significant role in risk-stratifying and planning future invasive procedures including coronary angiography and valve-in-valve interventions. Overall, there is emerging evidence for post-TAVR CT to be eventually incorporated into long-term TAVR monitoring and lifelong planning.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients Screened for but Deemed Clinically Not Suitable for Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement: DECLINE-TMVR Registry.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter therapies are a recognized alternative intervention in patients with severe mitral regurgitation who are at high surgical risk. The purpose of this study was to characterize patients screened for transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR), establish the clinical and anatomic reasons for unsuitability, and determine clinical course and early outcomes. METHODS: International multicentre registry was conducted of consecutive patients screened for TMVR at 12 centres in Europe, the United States, and Canada between April 2015 and September 2018. Patient-level retrospective data were collected for all patients screened. RESULTS: From a total of 294 patients, 87 (30%) patients were suitable for and underwent TMVR, whereas 207 (70%) patients were unsuitable for TMVR. There was no difference in Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted risk of mortality (6.3% ± 4.3% vs 6.7 ± 6.1%, P = 0.52) for mitral valve replacement between the groups. The most common reasons for TMVR unsuitability were mitral annular size outside therapeutic range (28%) and small predicted neo-LVOT (25%). Preprocedural multidetector computed tomographic demonstrated that patients unsuitable for TMVR had smaller predicted neo-left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) area (318 ±192 mm2 vs 495 ± 202 mm2, P = 0.04). At 30 days, there was no difference in rates of rehospitalization (8% vs 8%, P = 0.21), stroke (1% vs 2%, P = 0.42), or mortality (4% vs 10%, P = 0.10), unadjusted for procedural risk, between unsuitable for TMVR and TMVR groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Two-thirds of patients failed screening as anatomically unsuitable for TMVR. The findings of this study have important clinical implications, highlighting an unmet clinical need and provide a target for design innovation in future iterations of TMVR devices.

Patient-Tailored Aortic Valve Replacement.

Contemporary surgical and transcatheter aortic valve interventions offer effective therapy for a broad range of patients with severe symptomatic aortic valve disease. Both approaches have seen significant advances in recent years. Guidelines have previously emphasized 'surgical risk' in the decision between surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), although this delineation becomes increasingly obsolete with more evidence on the effectiveness of TAVR in low surgical risk candidates. More importantly, decisions in tailoring aortic valve interventions should be patient-centered, accounting not only for operative risk, but also anatomy, lifetime management and specific co-morbidities. Aspects to be considered in a patient-tailored aortic valve intervention are discussed in this article.

Late presentation of left atrial appendage erosion and perforation by an Amplatzer™ Amulet™ closure device: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) closure may reduce the risk of cardioembolic stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Given the prophylactic nature of the procedure, identifying and managing complications are paramount. CASE SUMMARY: A 73-year-old man presented 14 months after percutaneous LAA closure with syncope and acute pericardial tamponade which required surgical exploration and haemostasis; the most temporally remote account of this complication albeit amongst very few case reports. Tissue erosion by the Amplatzer™ Amulet™ LAA closure device (Abbott, Plymouth, MN, USA) was noted at two separate anatomical locations, corresponding to the device disc and lobe, which has not been described previously. DISCUSSION: This case report highlights the anatomical relationship between the LAA and its surrounding structures, and the importance of recognizing the risk of late device erosion.

WorldwIde SurvEy on Clinical and Anatomical Factors Driving the Choice of Transcatheter Aortic Valve pRostheses.

Background: Following the success of the first human transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in 2002, multiple transcatheter heart valves (THVs) have become available. However, guidelines or expert consensus on how to optimize THV choice according to patients' anatomical and clinical characteristics is missing. This survey-based study aimed to identify patient-specific characteristics deemed important in the choice of THV type. Methods and results: A web-based survey including 39 questions was completed by 71 experienced TAVR operators from 23 countries with a median TAVR volume of 88 procedures in the year prior to survey completion (IQR 61-180). The survey covered five topics: access, aortic annulus/leaflets, aortic root, left ventricular function and clinical characteristics. Factors with the most impact on THV choice were reported to be a calcified sinotubular junction, valve-in-valve procedure, annular dimension >575 mm2, femoral diameter ≤ 5.0 mm, low coronary ostia, calcification at the annular level and/or protruding into the left ventricular outflow tract, and need for post TAVR PCI. Also, in case of off-label use of THVs to treat bicuspid aortic valve disease and isolated aortic regurgitation, the choice of THV type was reported to be important. Conclusions: This survey-based study identifies key patient characteristics that impact THV selection. As such, we present a guide, based on current practice, of which THV types are best suited to these different patient-specific characteristics. A patient-tailored THV choice is likely to optimize TAVR outcomes.

Changes to management of a non-pandemic illness during the COVID-19 pandemic: case study of invasive management of acute coronary syndrome.

The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic requires significant changes to standard operating procedures for non-COVID-19 related illnesses. Balancing the benefit from standard evidence-based treatments with the risks posed by COVID-19 to patients, healthcare workers and to the population at large is difficult due to incomplete and rapidly changing information. In this article, we use management of acute coronary syndromes as a case study to show how these competing risks and benefits can be resolved, albeit incompletely. While the risks due to COVID-19 in patients with acute coronary syndromes is unclear, the benefits of standard management are well established in this condition. As an aid to decision making, we recommend systematic estimation of the risks and benefits for management of any condition where there is likely to be an increase in non-COVID-19 related mortality and morbidity due to changes in routine care.

Left Atrial Appendage Closure: Prevention and Management of Periprocedural and Postprocedural Complications.

Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is noninferior to oral vitamin K antagonist therapy for the reduction of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation-related stroke risk. Currently, the procedure is most widely accepted in patients who cannot tolerate oral anticoagulants. This patient population is generally comorbid, making any reduction in procedural complications paramount. LAAC has important complications described in the periprocedural and postprocedural periods. The prevention and management of complications regarding vascular access, transseptal puncture, pericardial effusion, device embolization, stroke, air embolusperidevice leak, device-related thrombus and device erosion/ late pericardial effusion are discussed.

Improving the Prescribing Gap For Guideline Recommended Medications Post Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the effect of a pre-discharge medication checklist on discharge prescription rates of guideline recommended medications following myocardial infarction. In addition, we assessed what proportion of the residual prescribing gap following implementation of the checklist was due to the presence of contraindications. METHODS: We examined baseline prescription rates of guideline recommended medications in 100 patients discharged from our institution following acute myocardial infarction. We then introduced a pre-discharge checklist and reassessed discharge medications and reasons for non-prescription of guideline recommended medications in 447 patients with acute myocardial infarction. RESULTS: We demonstrated a significant gap in the prescription of guideline recommended secondary prevention medications at the time of discharge in our pre-intervention cohort. Introduction of a pre-discharge checklist resulted in a significant improvement in the prescription rates of all guideline recommended secondary prevention medications, with aspirin increasing from 90% to 97% (p=0.004), Adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor antagonist from 84% to 96% (p=0.0001), B-blocker from 79% to 87% (p=0.03), statin from 88% to 96% (p=0.002) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor from 58% to 70% (p=0.03). The residual gap in prescribing was largely explained by the presence of contraindications or absence of an indication in the case of ACE-inhibitors. Once these were taken into account there was a residual gap of 0-4% which represents genuine non-adherence to the guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Introduction of a pre-discharge checklist led to significant improvement in prescription rates of all five guideline recommended secondary prevention medications. The residual gap in medication prescription following introduction of the checklist was largely due to the presence of contraindications rather than non-adherence.

Contemporary antiplatelet therapy in acute coronary syndromes: are there differences in outcomes and discontinuation between clopidogrel and ticagrelor?

BACKGROUND/AIM: We studied clinical outcomes and discontinuation rates in a 'real-world' population presenting with myocardial infarction treated with ticagrelor or clopidogrel. METHODS: Between January 2012 and May 2015, 992 patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing invasive management and adequately pre-treated with dual antiplatelet therapy were prospectively enrolled. Platelet aggregation was measured using the Multiplate analyser. Baseline characteristics, in-hospital outcomes and 1-year outcomes were collected. RESULTS: Patients treated with ticagrelor were younger and less likely to be diabetic, have a previous myocardial infarction or present with a ST-elevation myocardial infarction (all P < 0.05). Those treated with ticagrelor also had lower CRUSADE (Can Rapid risk stratification of Unstable angina patients Suppress ADverse outcomes with Early implementation of the ACC/AHA guidelines; 20 ± 9.4 vs 23 ± 10.1, P < 0.0001) and GRACE (119 ± 28 vs 126 ± 32, P = 0.002) scores. High platelet reactivity was greatly reduced with ticagrelor compared to clopidogrel (16.1% vs 37.0%, respectively; P < 0.0001). Non-coronary artery bypass grafting-related thrombolysis in myocardial infarction major and minor bleeding occurred at similar rates in those treated with ticagrelor and clopidogrel. Rates of drug discontinuation in those treated with ticagrelor and clopidogrel were similar in hospital (20.2% vs 16.2%, P = 0.18) and between discharge and 1 year (29.9% vs 27.9%, P = 0.63). However, discontinuation due to dyspnoea, (3.3% vs 0%, P < 0.0001) and discontinuation due to any possible drug-related adverse event (9.3% vs 2.2%, P = 0.0001) was more common in those treated with ticagrelor compared to clopidogrel CONCLUSION: Ticagrelor is paradoxically being used in lower-risk patients rather than those most likely to benefit. Ticagrelor was associated with similar rates of bleeding but higher discontinuation rates due to adverse effects compared to clopidogrel.

Thiamin concentration in geriatric hospitalized patients using frusemide.

AIM: To assess the association between thiamin concentration, frusemide use, and renal function in older adults. METHOD: Thiamin concentration was measured in 73 consecutive admissions of patients aged over 65 years in a secondary care hospital. The patients were assigned to the study or control group based on frusemide use. A two-sample t test estimated the association between frusemide use and thiamin concentration and regression between thiamin concentration and EGFR. RESULTS: The mean (SD) thiamin concentration was 181.7 (64.6) nmol/L in those using frusemide and 169.3 (46.8) in non-users, P =0.35. There was a weak linear relationship between thiamin concentration and EGFR, with thiamin concentration being 17.0 nmol/L lower per 30 ml/min greater EGFR, P=0.076. Thiamin concentration was below the reference range in 20/73 (27.4%) of the participants. CONCLUSION: We found no association between frusemide use and thiamin concentration, but showed a significant prevalence of lower thiamin concentration in the study population of older adults.

Consumer demographics and expectations of probiotic therapy in New Zealand: results of a large telephone survey.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge regarding the possible health benefits of probiotic preparations has been increasing, but clinical trials have largely produced non-significant results. In contrast, the open market for probiotics is expanding worldwide despite little research of consumer characteristics. AIM: We aimed to survey the availability of probiotic preparations, the recommendation patterns of general practitioners (GP) and the characteristics of consumers. METHODS: Pharmacies were visited and the types of probiotic supplements were reviewed. A telephone survey was conducted to identify and characterise users and non-users. A questionnaire was sent to GPs. RESULTS: We found 31 probiotic products containing 16 different strains of bacteria. The majority of GPs were unable to clearly define a probiotic. Of 1512 random phone numbers called, 873 were answered. The prevalence of probiotic use was 25.4% of respondents. More females than males had ever used probiotics (30.6% vs 17.2%; p<0.0001). The highest rate of use was found in those with tertiary qualifications (34.2%; p<0.001). Of users, 75.2% said they had used probiotics on a recommendation, 80.5% of non-users said they would consider taking a probiotic if it was recommended by the GP. Probiotics were mainly used alongside antibiotic treatment (23%) and gastrointestinal disorders (27.5%). Significantly more users than non-users believed in the benefits of probiotic without concern for possible side effects. CONCLUSION: The majority of participants would consider taking a probiotic if it was recommended by their GP, but GPs exhibited a lack of knowledge in the use and indications for probiotic therapy. There was a general lack of concern regarding potential side-effects.