National Trends in the Incidence, Management, and Outcomes of Heart Failure Complications in Patients Hospitalized for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Predictors of Arrhythmias In the Population Hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2

BACKGROUND

Studies exploring predictors of arrhythmias in the population primarily hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) are scarce. Understanding this is crucial for risk stratification and appropriate management.

METHODS

Using the 2020 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database, we identified primary admissions for COVID-19. A 'greedy neighbor' 1:1 propensity-score matching (PSM) accounted for baseline differences. Then, multivariable logistic regression models were employed to account for confounders and estimate the probability of arrhythmia.

RESULTS

There were a total of 1,058,815 admissions for COVID-19 (mean age 64.3 years ±16.8), 47.2% female, 52.5% (107698) White, 18.5% (37973) Blacks, and 20.7% (42,447) Hispanics. Atrial fibrillation was the most prevalent arrhythmia, 15.1% (31,942). After PSM, 166,405 arrhythmia hospitalizations were matched to 166,405 hospitalizations without arrhythmia. Sick sinus syndrome 4.9 (4.4-5.5), dyslipidemia 1.2 (1.2-1.3), cardiac arrest 1.3 (1.1-1.4), invasive mechanical ventilation 1.9 (1.8-2.0) and obesity 1.3 (1.2-1.4), (p<0.0001, all) were all independent predictors of arrhythmias.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis revealed a notable proportion of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with arrhythmias. Dyslipidemia, obesity, sick sinus syndrome, invasive mechanical ventilation, and cardiac arrest were independent predictors of arrhythmias.

Predictors of mortality and burden of arrhythmias in endstage heart failure

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States, contributing to approximately 1 in 8 deaths. Individuals with end-stage HF (eHF) experience debilitating symptoms leading to poor quality of life (QoL).

METHODS

We used the ICD-10 code for eHF (I5084) from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) (2016-2020) to identify all patients with eHF. We used a multivariable logistic regression model to adjust for confounders and estimate the mortality probability in each arrhythmia cohort. Our primary outcome was in-hospital mortality risk in each group. A p-value of 0.05 was deemed significant.

RESULTS

There were 22,703 hospitalizations with eHF (mean age 67 years ±16). Men represented 66.5 % (15,091) of the population. In this cohort, 59 % (13,018) were Caucasians, 27.2 % (6,017) were Blacks, 8.7 % (1,924) were Hispanics, and 2.9 % (505) were Asians. Of these individuals, 50.4 % (11,434) had atrial fibrillation (AFIB). The majority of the arrhythmia subgroups had independent associations with mortality, with adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for VFIB 5.8 (4.6-7.1), AFIB 4.3 (3.9-4.5), SVT 1.9 (1.6-2.4), and VT 1.2 (1.1-1.4), p < 0.0001, each.

CONCLUSION

This analysis revealed that approximately half of the hospitalized population with end-stage heart failure are burdened with atrial fibrillation. Ventricular and atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, and ventricular tachycardia each carried an independent mortality risk, with ventricular fibrillation having the highest risk.

Berengy M, Abozid E, Reihan MS. Heart Failure and Echocardiography Derived Myocardial Wall Stress Link in Diabetic Cases with Acute Myocardial Infarction Managed by Revascularization

Background

Diabetes is associated with left ventricular remodeling. Myocardial wall stress is a measurable factor connected to the ventricular breadth and force and is related to myocardial thickness; it can be measured by echocardiography. The present study aimed to assess the link between heart failure (HF) and echocardiography-derived myocardial wall stress in diabetic patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who were managed with revascularization.

Methods

This study was a comparative prospective study that took place between February 2022 and February 2023. It included 100 diabetic patients presented with STEMI and managed by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients were selected from the cardiology departments at Al-Azhar University Hospital, Damietta, Egypt. During the hospital stay, patients were checked for HF symptoms and signs. They were also observed for 3 months after discharge for detection of HF. Those who did not develop HF were assigned to group I, and those with HF were assigned to group II.

Results

The mean value of end-systolic wall stress (ESWS) was 77.09 ± 12.22 and 97 ± 13.44, and the mean value of end-diastolic wall stress (EDWS) was 12.61 ± 2.76 and 15.87 ± 2.86 in groups I and II respectively, with significant differences between the 2 groups. The cutoff point to detect HF was 88 KPa for ESWS and 13.5 KPa for EDWS, with a sensitivity of 70% and 79% and a specificity of 80% and 61% for ESWS and EDWS, respectively.

Conclusion

Elevated left ventricle (LV) myocardial stress is related to increased HF in diabetic patients whose HF was managed by PCI after STEMI. LV wall stress is a potentially helpful risk stratification tool using routine echocardiography to determine the treatment plane according to the risk status.

Sex differences in trends and outcomes of acute myocardial infarction with mechanical complications in the United States

BACKGROUND

Mechanical complications (MC) are rare but significant sequelae of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Current data on sex differences in AMI with MC is limited.

METHODS

We queried the National Inpatient Sample database to identify adult patients with the primary diagnosis of AMI and MC. The main outcome of interest was sex difference in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were sex differences in the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI), major bleeding, use of inotropes, permanent pacemaker implantation (PPMI), performance of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), surgery (VSD repair and MV surgery), pericardiocentesis, use of mechanical circulatory support (MCS), ischemic stroke, and mechanical ventilation.

RESULTS

Among AMI-MC cohort, in-hospital mortality was higher among females compared to males (41.24% vs 28.13%: aOR 1.39. 95% CI 1.079-1.798; p = 0.01). Among those who had VSD, females also had higher in-hospital mortality compared to males (56.7% vs 43.1%: aOR 1.74, 95% CI 1.12-2.69; p = 0.01). Females were less likely to receive CABG compared to males (12.03% vs 20%: aOR 0.49 95% CI 0.345-0.690; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Despite the decreasing trend in AMI admission, females had higher risk of MC and associated mortality. Significant sex disparities still exist in AMI treatment.

Predictors of in-hospital heart failure in patients with acute anterior wall ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is a severe complication of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Its incidence is associated with myocardial infarction location, and it occurs frequently after acute anterior wall STEMI due to the larger infarct size. However, predictors of in-hospital HF in patients with acute anterior wall STEMI are inadequately defined. We aimed to determine potential predictors of HF in patients with acute anterior wall STEMI during hospitalization.

METHODS

A total of 714 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with acute anterior wall STEMI and underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) between January 2013 to August 2019 were enrolled retrospectively. We assigned the patients to HF and non-HF groups. The clinical parameters were subjected to univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis to obtain the independent predictors.

RESULTS

Among the 714 patients enrolled in the present study (mean age 61.0 ± 13.8 years, men 80.7%), 387 (54.2%) had in-hospital HF. According to a multivariate logistic regression analysis, ventricular fibrillation (VF, OR: 5.66, 95% CI: 2.25-14.23, P < 0.001) was the most striking independent predictor of in-hospital HF. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP, OR: 4.72, 95% CI: 2.44-9.10, P < 0.001), age (OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.04, P < 0.001), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF, OR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93-0.97, P < 0.001), and peak N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP, OR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.02-1.11, P = 0.006) were also independently associated with in-hospital HF.

CONCLUSION

VF, CAP, age, LVEF, and peak NT-pro-BNP were independently associated with in-hospital HF in patients with acute anterior wall STEMI.

Trends and Outcomes of ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Among Young Women in the United States

Background Although there has been a decrease in the incidence of ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in the United States, this trend might be stagnant or increasing in young women. We assessed the trends, characteristics, and outcomes of STEMI in women aged 18 to 55 years. Methods and Results We identified 177 602 women aged 18 to 55 with the primary diagnosis of STEMI from the National Inpatient Sample during years 2008 to 2019. We performed trend analyses to assess hospitalization rates, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor profile, and in-hospital outcomes stratified by three age subgroups (18-34, 35-44, and 45-55 years). We found STEMI hospitalization rates were decreased in the overall study cohort from 52 per 100 000 hospitalizations in 2008 to 36 per 100 000 in 2019. This was driven by decreased proportion of hospitalizations in women aged 45 to 55 years (74.2% to-71.7%; P<0.001). Proportion of STEMI hospitalizationincreased in women aged 18-34 (4.7%-5.5%; P<0.001) and 35-44 years (21.2%-22.7%; P<0.001). The prevalence of traditional and non-traditional female-specific or female-predominant CVD risk factors increased in all age subgroups. The adjusted odds of in-hospital mortality in the overall study cohort and age subgroups were unchanged throughout the study period. Additionally, we observed an increase in the adjusted odds of cardiogenic shock, acute stroke, and acute kidney injury in the overall cohort over the study period. Conclusions STEMI hospitalizations are increasing among women aged <45 years, and in-hospital mortality has not changed over the past 12 years in women aged <55 years. Future studies on the optimization of risk assessment and management of STEMI in young women are urgently needed.

ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Outcomes: A United States Nationwide Emergency Departments Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Literature regarding trends in incidence and mortality of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in emergency departments (EDs) is limited.

OBJECTIVE

To study the trends of incidence and mortality of STEMI.

METHODS

Using the National Emergency Department Sample database in the United States, we identified all ED encounters for patients presenting with STEMI using International Classification of Diseases codes. A linear p-trend was used to assess the trends.

RESULTS

Out of the 973 million ED encounters represented, 641,762 (65/100,000; mean age 69 [59-81] years, 35.8% female) adult patients were recorded with STEMI. Among the major complications associated with STEMI, a total of 49,401 (7.7%) had cardiac complications, which included acute heart failure (n = 9361, 1.6%), ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation (n = 12,267, 1.91%), conduction block (n = 20,165, 3.1%), and cardiogenic shock (n = 7608, 1.2%). There were 5675 (0.9%) patients recorded with cerebrovascular events, which included acute ischemic stroke among 5205 (0.8%) patients and 470 (0.1%) with transient ischemic attack. Acute kidney injury was recorded for 10,082 (1.6%) patients. The trend for incidence of STEMI in the ED had decreased from 7.76/10,000 in 2011 to 4.07/10,000 in 2018 (linear p-trend 0.0006). However, the yearly mortality of STEMI related to ED encounters had remained relatively steady: 7.56% in 2011 to 7.50% in 2018 (linear p-trend 0.2364).

CONCLUSION

Despite the fact that the number of patients presenting to the ED with STEMI has been decreasing, the mortality trends have remained steady. Further research of in-hospital STEMI may yield opportunities to reduce the risk of complications, improve patient outcomes and decrease health care burden.

Long-term outcomes of patients with chronic inflammatory diseases after percutaneous coronary intervention

OBJECTIVE

To assess the long-term outcomes of patients with chronic inflammatory diseases who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

A Retrospective cohort study of all adult patients who underwent PCI in a large tertiary care center from January 2002 to August 2020.

RESULTS

A total of 12,951 patients underwent PCI during the study period and were included in the cohort. The population of chronic inflammatory diseases includes 247 (1.9%) patients; 70 with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and 173 with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRD). The composite endpoint of mortality, acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or admission due to acute heart failure was similar at 30 days and more frequent in the inflammatory disease group (42.8% in AIRD group, 35.7% in the IBD group and 29.6% in the noninflammatory group, p < 0.0001). The adjusted cox regression model found a statistically significant increased risk of the composite primary endpoints of around 40% for patients both with AIRD and IBD. Readmission due to ACS was also increases at 30 days in the AIRD group compared to the noninflammatory group (0.6% vs. 0.1%, p < 0.001) and 1 year (37.6% for the AIRD group, 34.3% in the IBD group and 25.5% in the noninflammatory group (p < 0.0001). Patients with inflammatory diseases were found to have a significantly increased risk congestive heart failure admissions at 1 year in a subgroup analysis of patients with myocardial infarction.

CONCLUSION

Patients with AIRD and IBD are at higher risk for cardiovascular events in long-term follow up once diagnosed with CAD and treated with PCI.

Cardiac Rehabilitation and Physical Performance in Patients after Myocardial Infarction: Preliminary Research

(1) Background: Cardiovascular diseases, in particular, myocardial infarction (MI), are the main threats to human health in modern times. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR), and especially increased physical activity, significantly prevent the consequences of MI. The aim of this study was to assess physical performance in patients after MI before and after CR. (2) Methods: 126 patients after MI were examined. They were admitted to the cardiac rehabilitation ward twice: in the 3rd month after MI, and then in the 6th month after the last rehabilitation session. CR lasted 20 treatment days (4 weeks with 5 treatment days and 2 days’ break). The exercise stress test on the treadmill and a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) were used to assess physical performance. Patients were assigned to an appropriate rehabilitation model due to their health condition. (3) Results: In the studied group, the exercise stress test time and the metabolic equivalent of task (MET), the maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), and 6MWT score increased significantly (p = 0.0001) at two time-points of observation. (4) Conclusion: CR significantly improves physical performance in patients after MI.

C-Reactive Protein as a Risk Marker for Post-Infarct Heart Failure over a Multi-Year Period

Inflammatory activation during acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) can contribute to post-infarct heart failure (HF). This study aimed to determine prognostic value of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentration (CRP) for HF over a long-term follow-up in 204 patients with a first STEMI undergoing guideline-based therapies including percutaneous coronary intervention. CRP was measured at admission, 24 h (CRP₂₄), discharge (CRP_DC), and one month (CRP_1M) after index hospitalization for STEMI. Within a median period of 5.6 years post-index hospitalization for STEMI, hospitalization for HF (HFH) which is a primary endpoint, occurred in 24 patients (11.8%, HF+ group). During the study, 8.3% of HF+ patients died vs. 1.7% of patients without HFH (HF- group) (p = 0.047). CRP₂₄, CRP_DC, and CRP_1M were significantly higher in HF+ compared to HF- group. The median CRP_1M in HF+ group was 2.57 mg/L indicating low-grade systemic inflammation, in contrast to 1.54 mg/L in HF- group. CRP_1M ≥ 2 mg/L occurred in 58.3% of HF+ vs. 42.8% of HF- group (p = 0.01). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed decreased probability of survival free from HFH in patients with CRP₂₄ (p < 0.001), CRP_DC (p < 0.001), and CRP_1M (p = 0.03) in quartile IV compared to lower quartiles. In multivariable analysis, CRP_DC significantly improved prediction of HFH over a multi-year period post-STEMI. Persistent elevation in CRP post STEMI aids in risk stratification for long-term HF and suggests that ongoing cardiac and low-grade systemic inflammation promote HF development despite guideline-based therapies.

Delirium Among Hospitalized Older Adults With Acute Heart Failure Exacerbation

BACKGROUND

Delirium among older adults hospitalized with acute heart failure is associated with increased mortality. However, studies concomitantly assessing the association of delirium with both clinical and economic outcomes in this population, such as mortality, hospital cost, or length of stay, are lacking.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We conducted a retrospective observational study using National Inpatient Sample data from 2011 to 2014. Using multivariable logistic regression, we assessed the association of delirium with in-hospital mortality, then estimated the incremental hospital cost and excessive length of stay adjusting for demographic and clinical factors using multivariable generalized linear regression. The association of other medical complications on clinical and economic outcomes was also assessed. A total of 568,565 (weighted N = 2,826,131) hospitalizations of patients 65 years or older with acute heart failure from 2011 to 2014 were included in the final analysis. The reported prevalence of delirium was 4.53%. After multivariable adjustment, delirium was associated with a 2.35-fold increase in the odds of in-hospital mortality (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.23-2.47), which was lower than the odds ratio for sepsis/septicemia (5.36; 95% CI, 5.02-5.72) or respiratory failure (4.53; 95% CI, 4.38-4.69), but similar to that for acute kidney injury (2.39; 95% CI, 2.31-2.48) and higher than for non-ST elevation myocardial infarct (1.57; 95% CI, 1.46-1.68). Delirium increased the total hospital cost by $4,262 (95% CI, $4,002-4,521) and the length of stay by 1.73 days (95% CI, 1.68-1.78), which was slightly lower than, but similar to, acute kidney injury ($4,771; 95% CI, $4,644-4,897) and 1.82 days (95% CI, 1.79-1.84), and higher than non-ST elevation myocardial infarct ($1,907; 95% CI, $1,629-2,185) and 0.31 days (95% CI, 0.25-0.37).

CONCLUSIONS

Delirium was associated with increased in-hospital mortality, total hospital cost, and length of stay, and the magnitude of the effect was similar to that for acute kidney injury. Enhanced efforts to prevent delirium are needed to decrease its adverse impact on clinical and economic outcomes for hospitalized older adults with acute heart failure.

National Trends in Emergency Department Care Processes for Acute Myocardial Infarction in the United States, 2005 to 2015

Background Despite investments to improve quality of emergency care for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), few studies have described national, real-world trends in AMI care in the emergency department (ED). We aimed to describe trends in the epidemiology and quality of AMI care in US EDs over a recent 11-year period, from 2005 to 2015. Methods and Results We conducted an observational study of ED visits for AMI using the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, a nationally representative probability sample of US EDs. AMI visits were classified as ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-STEMI. Outcomes included annual incidence of AMI, median ED length of stay, ED disposition type, and ED administration of evidence-based medications. Annual ED visits for AMI decreased from 1 493 145 in 2005 to 581 924 in 2015. Estimated yearly incidence of ED visits for STEMI decreased from 1 402 768 to 315 813. The proportion of STEMI sent for immediate, same-hospital catheterization increased from 12% to 37%. Among patients with STEMI sent directly for catheterization, median ED length of stay decreased from 62 to 37 minutes. ED administration of antithrombotic and nonaspirin antiplatelet agents rose for STEMI (23%-31% and 10%-27%, respectively). Conclusions National, real-world trends in the epidemiology of AMI in the ED parallel those of clinical registries, with decreases in AMI incidence and STEMI proportion. ED care processes for STEMI mirror evolving guidelines that favor high-intensity antiplatelet therapy, early invasive strategies, and regionalization of care.

Individuals with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) and Type 1 Diabetes Are More Likely to Undergo Limb Amputation than Those with PAD and Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND

Limited data exist comparing how type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) and type 2 DM may have differential effects on peripheral artery disease (PAD) severity. We aimed to study the association of type of DM with the procedure utilized in hospitalizations with a diagnosis of PAD.

METHODS

We used the national inpatient sample databases from 2003 to 2014 to identify hospitalizations with a diagnosis of PAD and type 1 or type 2 DM. Logistic regression was utilized to evaluate the association between type of DM and procedure utilized (amputation-overall, major, endovascular revascularization, surgical revascularization).

RESULTS

We identified 14,012,860 hospitalizations with PAD diagnosis and DM, 5.6% (n = 784,720) had type 1 DM. The patients with type 1 DM were more likely to present with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) (45.2% vs. 32.0%), ulcer (25.9% vs. 17.7%), or complicated ulcer (16.6% vs. 10.5%) (all p < 0.001) when compared to those with type 2 DM. Type 1 DM was independently and significantly associated with more amputation procedures (adjusted odds ratio = 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] I 1.08 to 1.16, p < 0.001). Overall, in-hospital mortality did not differ between the individuals with type 1 and type 2 DM. The overall mean (95% CI) length of stay (in days) was 6.6 (6.5 to 6.6) and was significantly higher for type 1 DM (7.8 [7.7 to 8.0]) when compared to those with type 2 DM (6.5 [6.4 to 6.6]).

CONCLUSION

We observed that individuals with PAD and type 1 DM were more likely to present with CLTI and ulcer and undergo amputation when compared to those with PAD and type 2 diabetes. Further studies are needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms behind these findings and to identify novel interventions to reduce the risk of amputation in patients with type 1 DM.

Association of history of heart failure with hospital outcomes of hyperglycemic crises: Analysis from a University hospital and national cohort

AIMS

The impact of a history of heart failure (HF) on the outcomes of hospitalization for hyperglycemic crises (diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome) is unknown. We aimed to test the hypothesis that a history of HF has a deleterious impact on the outcomes of hospitalization for hyperglycemic crises.

METHODS

We used two different datasets: National Inpatient Sample database 2003-2014 and a single University hospital cohort 2007-2017, to identify all adult hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of hyperglycemic crises. Multivariable regression models were used to analyze the outcomes of in-hospital mortality, length of hospital stay and transfer to nursing home or similar short-term facility between HF and no-HF hospitalizations.

RESULTS

Of the 1, 570,726 hyperglycemic crises related hospitalizations, a history of HF was present in 57, 520 (3.6%) hospitalizations. After multivariable risk-adjustment, HF group had a higher observed in-hospital mortality [0.4% vs. 0.2%; adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.7, 95% CI 1.4 to 2.0, P < .001] and transfer to nursing home or similar short-term facility (3.9 vs. 2.8%, AOR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.3 to 1.5, P < .001) compared with no-HF group. Mean length of hospital stay [6.5 vs. 3.5 days; P < .001] was also higher for HF group than no-HF group. Data from the smaller University hospital cohort showed similar findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with a history of HF may be an under-recognized high-risk group among patients hospitalized for hyperglycemic crisis. Additional studies are warranted to clarify risk elements and optimize the inpatient care of individuals with hyperglycemic crises.

Improved Outcome of Cardiogenic Shock Triggered by Takotsubo Syndrome Compared With Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a severe complication of myocardial infarction (MI) or of takotsubo syndrome (TTS). For both diseases, CS is related to a worse long-term outcome. The outcome of CS has not been studied in a direct comparison of patients with MI and patients with TTS.

METHODS

Mortality and cardiovascular complications were compared in patients presenting with CS based on MI or TTS between 2003 and 2017 during a follow-up of 5 years. A total of 138 patients with TTS and 532 patients with MI were included. Of these, 66 patients with MI and 25 patients with TTS developed CS (12% vs 18%, P = 0.08).

RESULTS

Patients with MI and CS had more often malignant arrhythmias (74% vs 28%, P < 0.01), and need for resuscitation (80% vs 24%, P < 0.01) or death (71% vs 24%, P < 0.01) than patients with TTS and CS during the first 30 days. Although the overall rate of death remained higher in MI than in TTS (75.8% vs 52%, log rank, P < 0.01), deaths occurred in TTS constantly throughout the follow-up time, but not in MI. The incidence of heart failure increased in MI but not in TTS (31.8% vs 4%, P < 0.01) during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with MI and CS have a worse prognosis than patients with TTS and CS. This is driven by cardiovascular events or death during the first 30 days after the index event. However, patients with TTS and CS show high mortality as well, especially during long-term follow-up.

Temporary support strategies for cardiogenic shock: extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, percutaneous ventricular assist devices and surgically placed extracorporeal ventricular assist devices

The majority of clinical pathways and paradigms utilized in the treatment and management of cardiogenic shock with temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS) are largely based on individual physician intuition and ad hoc problem-solving. Substantial mortality gains in the acute myocardial infarction cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS) population were observed with the reported outcomes of the SHOCK trial in 1999 compared to previous populations with AMI-CS. Nonetheless even in the age of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of the infarct related artery, survival rates continue to be only approximately 50%. The conventional focus since the SHOCK trial has centered on revascularization strategies and the subsequent medical management of these patients post-PCI with ever diminishing returns. Perhaps we have hit the "glass ceiling" with current strategies and it is time to explore novel strategies to salvage not only the heart but more importantly the patient and potentially more of both. Going forward, researchers need to focus on developing a systematic approach to problem solving in utilizing MCS for patients with cardiogenic shock. Effective methodologies that are evidence based will help physicians in their decision-making when considering temporary MCS for patients.

Aldosterone Antagonist Therapy and Mortality in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Without Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

IMPORTANCE

Treatment with aldosterone antagonists is recommended and has been shown to have beneficial effects in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) less than 40%. However, the role of aldosterone antagonists in patients with ejection fraction greater than 40% or without congestive heart failure is not well known.

OBJECTIVES

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis using standard techniques to determine the role of therapy with aldosterone antagonists in this patient population.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central databases were searched and a manual search for relevant references from the selected articles and published reviews was performed from database inception through June 2017.

STUDY SELECTION

Randomized clinical trials that evaluated treatment with aldosterone antagonists in patients with STEMI without clinical heart failure or LVEF greater than 40% were included.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines were used to conduct and report the meta-analysis, which used a random-effects model. Two investigators independently performed the database search and agreed on the final study selection. A manual search was performed for relevant references from the selected articles and published reviews.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The outcomes analyzed were mortality, new congestive heart failure, recurrent myocardial infarction, ventricular arrhythmia, and changes in LVEF, serum potassium level, and creatinine level at follow-up.

RESULTS

In all, 10 randomized clinical trials with a total of 4147 unique patients were included in the meta-analysis. In patients who presented with STEMI without heart failure, treatment with aldosterone antagonists compared with control was associated with lower risk of mortality (2.4% vs 3.9%; odds ratio [OR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.42-0.91; P = .01) and similar risks of myocardial infarction (1.6% vs 1.5%; OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.57-1.86; P = .91), new congestive heart failure (4.3% vs 5.4%; OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.56-1.20; P = .31), and ventricular arrhythmia (4.1% vs 5.1%; OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.45-1.31; P = .33). Similarly, treatment with aldosterone antagonists compared with control was associated with a small yet significant increase in LVEF (mean difference, 1.58%; 95% CI, 0.18%-2.97%; P = .03), a small increase in serum potassium level (mean difference, 0.07 mEq/L; 95% CI, 0.01-0.13 mEq/L; P = .02), and no change in serum creatinine level (standardized mean difference, 1.4; 95% CI, -0.43 to 3.24; P = .13).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Treatment with aldosterone antagonists is associated with a mortality benefit in patients with STEMI with LVEF greater than 40% or without heart failure.

Outcomes of Impella 5.0 in Cardiogenic Shock

Objective

The aim of the study was to comprehensively summarize the survival outcomes and complications of Impella 5.0 (Abiomed Inc, Danvers, MA USA) use in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS).

Methods

We performed a literature review for relevant studies by searching in Medline, Medline In-Process, EMBASE, and the CENTRAL bibliographic databases on April 30, 2017. Nonoverlapping studies with 10 patients or more supported for cardiogenic shock with Impella 5.0 or Impella left direct were included. Data on patient characteristics, indication of support, and outcomes were extracted. A random effect was used to pool the various outcomes.

Results

This meta-analysis included six studies totaling 163 patients (mean ± SD age = 56.3 ± 12.0, male 81%). Indications for support included 88 (54.0%) for acute on chronic decompensated heart failure, 35 (21.5%) for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock, 27 (16.6%) for acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock, and, 13 (8.0%) for cardiogenic shock due to other reasons. Survival to next therapy was 73.5% in patients supported for acute on chronic decompensated heart failure. The survival to device explant among patients supported for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock or acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock was 90.2%, and of those, myocardial recovery was achieved in 73.8%. The overall estimated survival to discharge, 30, 180, and 365 days was 73.5%, 72.6%, 62.7%, and 58.4%, respectively. Patients supported for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock had the highest heart recovery among survivors to explant (92.1%) and highest survival at 30 (89.5%) and 365 days (69.5%).

Conclusions

Impella 5.0/LD is associated with favorable survival outcomes and higher rate of myocardial recovery in patients with cardiogenic shock.