Use of Virtual Reality and 3D Models in Contemporary Practice of Cardiology

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To provide an overview of the impact of virtual and augmented reality in contemporary cardiovascular medical practice.

RECENT FINDINGS

The utilization of virtual and augmented reality has emerged as an innovative technique in various cardiovascular subspecialties, including interventional adult, pediatric, and adult congenital as well as structural heart disease and heart failure. In particular, electrophysiology has proven valuable for both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The incorporation of 3D reconstruction modeling has significantly enhanced our understanding of patient anatomy and morphology, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. The interactive modeling of cardiac structure and function within the virtual realm plays a pivotal role in comprehending complex congenital, structural, and coronary pathology. This, in turn, contributes to safer interventions and surgical procedures. Noteworthy applications include septal defect device closure, transcatheter valvular interventions, and left atrial occlusion device implantation. The implementation of virtual reality has been shown to yield cost savings in healthcare, reduce procedure time, minimize radiation exposure, lower intravenous contrast usage, and decrease the extent of anesthesia required. These benefits collectively result in a more efficient and effective approach to patient care.

A new opportunity for patient selection and optimization: Systematic review of cognitive frailty in patients undergoing left ventricular assist device implantation

The prognostic implication of cognitive frailty assessment in patients undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation remains unclear. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate assessment strategies and their significance for patients undergoing LVAD implantation. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature from inception until September 2022 and a review of meeting proceedings were performed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Studies that investigated the prognostic value of cognitive frailty or any related cognition-based assessment in patients undergoing LVAD implantation were included. Study characteristics, patient demographics, and type of cognitive assessment were extracted. Primary outcomes included length of stay, readmissions, and all-cause mortality. Of 664 records retrieved, 12 (4 prospective, 8 retrospective) involving 16 737 subjects (mean age, 56.9 years; 78.3% men) met inclusion criteria; 67% of studies used the Montreal Cognitive Assessment to assess cognitive frailty. Outcomes reported were highly variable, with 42% reporting readmission, 33% reporting LOS, and 83% reporting mortality data; only two studies provided data on all three. Cognitive frailty was associated with prolonged length of stay in 75% of studies reporting this outcome. Only 40% and 60% of studies that reported readmissions and mortality outcomes, respectively, suggested a predictive association. Pre-LVAD cognitive frailty is likely associated with worse outcomes postimplant. However, the heterogenous reporting of outcomes data and lack of consistent definitions in the literature limit its prognostic value. Additional research on markers for cognitive frailty and improved standards of reporting may allow for future analyses and enhance preoperative risk assessment and patient care. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 204-210.

Left Ventricular Assist Device Use in Minorities: An Analysis of the National Inpatient Sample

Minorities are less likely to receive a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). This, however, is based on total implant data. By examining rates of LVAD implant among patients admitted with heart failure complicated by cardiogenic shock, we sought to further elucidate LVAD utilization rates and racial disparities. Utilizing the National Inpatient Sample from 2013 to 2019, all patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of heart failure complicated by cardiogenic shock were included for analysis. Those who then received an LVAD during that hospitalization defined the LVAD utilization which was examined for any racial disparities. Left ventricular assist device utilization was low across all racial groups with no significant difference noted in univariate analysis. Non-Hispanic Blacks had the highest length of stay (LOS), the highest proportion of discharge to home (71.52%), and the lowest inpatient mortality (6.33%). Multivariable modeling confirmed the relationship between race and LOS; however, no differences were noted in mortality. Non-Hispanic Blacks were found to be less likely to receive an LVAD; however, when controlling for payer, median household income, and comorbidities, this relationship was no longer seen. Left ventricular assist devices remain an underutilized therapy in cardiogenic shock. When using a multivariable model, race does not appear to affect LVAD utilization.

Utilization of the percutaneous left ventricular support as bridge to heart transplantation across the United States: In-depth UNOS database analysis

BACKGROUND

Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and Impella device utilization as a bridge to heart transplantation (HTx) have risen exponentially. We aimed to explore the influence of device selection on HTx outcomes, considering regional practice variation.

METHODS

A retrospective longitudinal study was performed on a United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) registry dataset. We included adult patients listed for HTx between October 2018 and April 2022 as status 2, as justified by requiring IABP or Impella support. The primary end-point was successful bridging to HTx as status 2.

RESULTS

Of 32,806 HTx during the study period, 4178 met inclusion criteria (Impella n = 650, IABP n = 3528). Waitlist mortality increased from a nadir of 16 (in 2019) to a peak of 36 (in 2022) per thousand status 2 listed patients. Impella annual use increased from 8% in 2019 to 19% in 2021. Compared to IABP, Impella patients demonstrated higher medical acuity and lower success rate of transplantation as status 2 (92.1% vs 88.9%, p < 0.001). The IABP:Impella utilization ratio varied widely between regions, ranging from 1.77 to 21.31, with high Impella use in Southern and Western states. However, this difference was not justified by medical acuity, regional transplant volume, or waitlist time and did not correlate with waitlist mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The shift in utilizing Impella as opposed to IABP did not improve waitlist outcomes. Our results suggest that clinical practice patterns beyond mere device selection determine successful bridging to HTx. There is a critical need for objective evidence to guide tMCS utilization and a paradigm shift in the UNOS allocation system to achieve equitable HTx practice across the United States.

A case of ultra-prolonged intra-aortic balloon pump support via sheathless femoral access

Background

An intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is a mechanical circulatory support platform with a relatively low complication rate. Axillary access is increasingly utilized to allow rehabilitation.

Case summary

We present a case of femoral IABP inserted into the femoral artery percutaneously via a sheathless technique that allowed the patient to ambulate and physically rehabilitate over 102 days until cardiac transplantation. The patient was able to progress with the protocolized rehabilitation programme to up to 3500 ft walking distance. The IABP was removed at the time of transplantation without any vascular complications.

Discussion

While axillary IABP offers an opportunity to rehabilitate, it has an unacceptably high complication rate, often resulting in vascular injury that adds morbidity to an acutely ill cohort. In this case, we found that sheathless femoral IABP access offered stability for a prolonged time while avoiding pain, bleeding, infection, and vascular injury. We hypothesize that this is due to less indwelling prosthetic material usage and also device flexibility, allowing conformation to the natural course of the femoral artery. We are encouraged by this case to use a sheathless access approach for patients expected to require prolonged IABP support.

Prognostic Value of Frailty for Heart Failure Patients Undergoing Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation: A Systematic Review

Frailty is associated with poor clinical outcomes in heart failure patients. The impact of frailty on outcomes following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, however, is less clearly defined. We therefore sought to conduct a systematic review to evaluate current frailty assessment strategies and their significance for patients undergoing LVAD implantation. We conducted a comprehensive electronic search of PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL databases from inception until April 2021 for studies examining frailty in patients undergoing LVAD implantation. Study characteristics, patient demographics, type of frailty measurement, and outcomes were extracted. Outcomes were organized into 5 basic categories: implant length of stay (iLOS), 1-year mortality, rehospitalization, adverse events, and quality of life (QOL). Of the 260 records retrieved, 23 studies involving 4935 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. Approaches to measuring frailty varied, with the 2 most common being sarcopenia determined by computed tomography and Fried's frailty phenotype assessment. Outcomes of interest were also widely variable, with iLOS stay and mortality being the most frequently reported, albeit with differing definitions of both between studies. The heterogeneity among included studies precluded quantitative synthesis. Narrative synthesis showed that frailty by any measure is more likely to be associated with higher mortality, longer iLOS, more adverse events and worse QOL post-LVAD implant. Frailty can be a valuable prognostic indicator in patients undergoing LVAD implantation. Further studies are needed to determine the most sensitive frailty assessment, as well as the ways in which frailty may serve as a modifiable target to improve outcomes following LVAD implantation.

Artificial intelligence guidance of advanced heart failure therapies: A systematic scoping review

Introduction

Artificial intelligence can recognize complex patterns in large datasets. It is a promising technology to advance heart failure practice, as many decisions rely on expert opinions in the absence of high-quality data-driven evidence.

Methods

We searched Embase, Web of Science, and PubMed databases for articles containing "artificial intelligence," "machine learning," or "deep learning" and any of the phrases "heart transplantation," "ventricular assist device," or "cardiogenic shock" from inception until August 2022. We only included original research addressing post heart transplantation (HTx) or mechanical circulatory support (MCS) clinical care. Review and data extraction were performed in accordance with PRISMA-Scr guidelines.

Results

Of 584 unique publications detected, 31 met the inclusion criteria. The majority focused on outcome prediction post HTx (n = 13) and post durable MCS (n = 7), as well as post HTx and MCS management (n = 7, n = 3, respectively). One study addressed temporary mechanical circulatory support. Most studies advocated for rapid integration of AI into clinical practice, acknowledging potential improvements in management guidance and reliability of outcomes prediction. There was a notable paucity of external data validation and integration of multiple data modalities.

Conclusion

Our review showed mounting innovation in AI application in management of MCS and HTx, with the largest evidence showing improved mortality outcome prediction.

Left Ventricular Strain Is Associated With Myocardial Recovery Following ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction, a Prospective Longitudinal CMR Study

Background

Infarct size following ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is an important determinate of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT) is a technique that allows for the assessment of myocardial function via quantification of longitudinal, radial, and circumferential strain. We investigated the association between CMR-FT-derived myocardial global strain and myocardial recovery.

Methods

A prospective study on patients presenting with STEMI treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was conducted. CMR imaging was obtained at two interval time points, the baseline within 2 weeks of hospital discharge and follow-up at 6 months. Strain analysis was performed via FT-CMR, and recovery was quantified by the area of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE).

Results

A total of n = 14 patients met inclusion and exclusion criteria and were analyzed. There was a significant reduction in the infarct size, as measured by LGE mass percentage of the left ventricular muscle mass, between the initial and follow-up CMR (19.7%, IQR 12.2-23.9 vs. 17.1%, IQR 8.3-22.5, p = 0.04). Initial strain parameters were inversely correlated with the initial edema mass and the decrease in LGE mass between the initial and follow-up CMR. All LV global strains had high accuracy for the prediction of a reduction in LGE mass by 50% or more.

Conclusions

LV global strains measured after primary PCI can predict the extent of myocardial recovery.

The prevalence of isolated growth hormone deficiency among children of short stature in Jordan and its relationship with consanguinity

OBJECTIVE

The prevalence of isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) among short-statured children in Jordan, where consanguineous marriage (CM) is common, is unknown. No studies have investigated the relationship between degrees of consanguinity and IGHD. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of IGHD among short-statured children referred to a university hospital in Jordan and its relationship with different degrees of consanguinity.

DESIGN

We conducted a 24-month cross-sectional observational trial at an outpatient tertiary care center in Amman, Jordan.

PATIENTS

We obtained detailed family histories, medical evaluations and laboratory tests for 94 short-statured children (50 boys and 44 girls aged 6-16 years).

MEASUREMENTS

Complete and partial GHD were defined as peak GH responses of 5 and 7 μg/l (15 and 21 mIU/l) [IRMA/DiaSorin®], respectively, in both exercise and insulin tolerance tests.

RESULTS

GHD was diagnosed in 69·1% of the short children, including 86% (43/50) of the children of consanguineous parents (83·3%, 93·8% and 81·8% of children of first cousins, first cousins once removed and second cousins, respectively) and 50% (20/44) of the children of nonconsanguineous parents (P = 0·039, 0·002 and 0·013, respectively). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of small pituitary MRI between GH-deficient children of consanguineous parents and those of nonconsanguineous parents (28·6% vs 13·6%, P = 0·3).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of IGHD among referred short children in Jordan was exceptionally high and significantly higher in the children of CM. In countries where CM is common, preconception counselling and rigorous surveillance for GHD in short children may be indicated.

Allogeneic transfusion of macrophages in acute urinary tract infection

Three patients with acute urinary tract infections that failed to respond to antibiotics were treated by allogeneic peritoneal macrophage transfusions. No harmful effects were observed following macrophage transfusions and the urinary infections were eradicated in treated patients. It could be concluded that allogeneic macrophage transfusion is feasible between unrelated individuals and can combat severe resistant urinary infections.