Use of endoscopic hand-suturing to treat refractory bleeding from a gastric ulcer in a patient with a left ventricular assist device

We herein describe a 49-year-old man with severe heart failure due to fulminant myocarditis who underwent left ventricular assist device implantation and received clopidogrel and warfarin as antithrombotic agents. The patient developed anemia secondary to chronic bleeding gastric hyperplastic polyps, necessitating endoscopic mucosal resection. Despite attempts to manage post-endoscopic mucosal resection bleeding from a gastric ulcer by endoscopic hemostasis using hemostatic forceps, local hemostatic agents, and polyglycolic acid sheets, the bleeding persisted. Hemostasis of the refractory bleeding was finally achieved by endoscopic hand-suturing of the ulcer. One month later, the ulcer was almost completely scarred. This case has important clinical value in that it demonstrates the efficacy of endoscopic hand-suturing even in challenging cases such as refractory bleeding gastric ulcers in patients with left ventricular assist devices.

Overview of the 87th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Circulation Society (JCS2023) - New Challenge With Next Generation

The 87thAnnual Meeting of the Japanese Circulation Society (JCS2023) was held in March 2023 in Fukuoka, Japan, marking the first in-person gathering after the COVID-19 pandemic. With the theme of "New Challenge With Next Generation" the conference emphasized the development of future cardiovascular leaders and technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). Notable sessions included the Mikamo Lecture on heart failure and the Mashimo Lecture on AI in medicine. Various hands-on sessions and participatory events were well received, promoting learning and networking. Post-event surveys showed high satisfaction among participants, with positive feedback on face-to-face interactions and the overall experience. JCS2023, attended by 17,852 participants, concluded successfully, marking a significant milestone in post-pandemic meetings, and advancing cardiovascular medicine.

Development of deep-learning models for real-time anaerobic threshold and peak VO2 prediction during cardiopulmonary exercise testing

AIMS

Exercise intolerance is a clinical feature of patients with heart failure (HF). Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is the first-line examination for assessing exercise capacity in patients with HF. However, the need for extensive experience in assessing anaerobic threshold (AT) and the potential risk associated with the excessive exercise load when measuring peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) limit the utility of CPET. This study aimed to use deep-learning approaches to identify AT in real time during testing (defined as real-time AT) and to predict peak VO2 at real-time AT.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study included the time-series data of CPET recorded at the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital. Two deep neural network models were developed to: (i) estimate the AT probability using breath-by-breath data and (ii) predict peak VO2 using the data at the real-time AT. The eligible CPET contained 1472 records of 1053 participants aged 18-90 years and 20% were used for model evaluation. The developed model identified real-time AT with 0.82 for correlation coefficient (Corr) and 1.20 mL/kg/min for mean absolute error (MAE), and the corresponding AT time with 0.86 for Corr and 0.66 min for MAE. The peak VO2 prediction model achieved 0.87 for Corr and 2.25 mL/kg/min for MAE.

CONCLUSION

Deep-learning models for real-time CPET analysis can accurately identify AT and predict peak VO2. The developed models can be a competent assistant system to assess a patient's condition in real time, expanding CPET utility.

Efficacy of Early Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation After Admission for Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

Advances in catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) have improved the prognosis of patients with heart failure (HF) and AF. However, its optimal timing remains to be fully elucidated.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of early CA in patients with HF and AF hospitalized for worsening HF.

METHODS

From JROADHF (Japanese Registry of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure) (n = 13,238), patients with HF and AF who underwent CA within 90 days after admission for HF (early CA; n = 103) and those who did not (control; n = 2,683) were identified. Mortality was compared between these groups in the crude cohort, as well as in the propensity-matched cohort (n = 83 in each group).

RESULTS

In the crude cohort, all-cause mortality was significantly lower in the early CA group than in the control group (log-rank P < 0.001; HR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.24-0.60). In the matched cohort, all-cause mortality was likewise significantly lower in the early CA group (log-rank P = 0.014; HR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.25-0.88). Cardiovascular death and HF mortality were significantly lower in both cohorts (crude: Gray' test: P < 0.001 and P = 0.005; subdistribution HR: 0.28 [95% CI: 0.13-0.63] and HR: 0.31 [95% CI: 0.13-0.75]; matched: Gray's test: P = 0.006 and P = 0.017; subdistribution HR: 0.24 [95% CI: 0.08-0.70] and HR: 0.28 [95% CI: 0.09-0.84], respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In a nationwide representative real-world cohort, CA for AF within 90 days after admission for HF was associated with improved long-term outcomes, including cardiovascular and HF death in patients with HF and AF.

The AppCare-HF randomized clinical trial: a feasibility study of a novel self-care support mobile app for individuals with chronic heart failure

Aims

We evaluated a self-care intervention with a novel mobile application (app) in chronic heart failure (HF) patients. To facilitate patient-centred care in HF management, we developed a self-care support mobile app to boost HF patients' optimal self-care.

Methods and results

We conducted a multicentre, randomized, controlled study evaluating the feasibility of the self-care support mobile app designed for use by HF patients. The app consists of a self-monitoring assistant, education, and automated alerts of possible worsening HF. The intervention group received a tablet personal computer (PC) with the self-care support app installed, and the control group received a HF diary. All patients performed self-monitoring at home for 2 months. Their self-care behaviours were evaluated by the European Heart Failure Self-Care Behaviour Scale. We enrolled 24 outpatients with chronic HF (ages 31-78 years; 6 women, 18 men) who had a history of HF hospitalization. During the 2 month study period, the intervention group (n = 13) showed excellent adherence to the self-monitoring of each vital sign, with a median [interquartile range (IQR)] ratio of self-monitoring adherence for blood pressure, body weight, and body temperature at 100% (92-100%) and for oxygen saturation at 100% (91-100%). At 2 months, the intervention group's self-care behaviour score was significantly improved compared with the control group (n = 11) [median (IQR): 16 (16-22) vs. 28 (20-36), P = 0.02], but the HF Knowledge Scale, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Short Form-8 Health Survey scores did not differ between the groups.

Conclusion

The novel mobile app for HF is feasible.

Characterization of a half-wave plate for cosmic microwave background circular polarization measurement with POLARBEAR

A half-wave plate (HWP) is often used as a modulator to suppress systematic error in the measurements of cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization. A HWP can also be used to measure circular polarization (CP) through its optical leakage from CP to linear polarization. The CP of the CMB is predicted from various sources, such as interactions in the Universe and extension of the standard model. Interaction with supernova remnants of population III stars is one of the brightest CP sources. Thus, the observation of the CP of CMB is a new tool for searching for population III stars. In this paper, we demonstrate the improved measurement of the leakage coefficient using the transmission measurement of an actual HWP in the laboratory. We measured the transmittance of linearly polarized light through the HWP used in Polarbear in the frequency range of 120-160 GHz. We evaluate the properties of the HWP by fitting the data with a physical model using the Markov Chain Monte Carlo method. We then estimate the band-averaged CP leakage coefficient using the physical model. We find that the leakage coefficient strongly depends on the spectra of CP sources. We thus calculate the maximum fractional leakage coefficient from CP to linear polarization as 0.133 ± 0.009 in the Rayleigh-Jeans spectrum. The nonzero value shows that Polarbear has a sensitivity to CP. Additionally, because we use the bandpass of detectors installed in the telescope to calculate the band-averaged values, we also consider systematic effects in the experiment.

Propensity-Matched Study of Early Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

The impact of early implementation of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in heart failure (HF) patients remains to be elucidated. This study sought to determine whether CR during HF hospitalization could improve prognostic outcomes in patients with acute decompensated HF.

METHODS

We analyzed patients with HF enrolled in the JROADHF (Japanese Registry of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure) registry, a retrospective, multicenter, nationwide registry of patients hospitalized for acute decompensated HF. Eligible patients were divided into 2 groups according to CR during hospitalization. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death or rehospitalization due to cardiovascular event after discharge. The secondary outcomes were cardiovascular death and cardiovascular event rehospitalization.

RESULTS

Out of 10 473 eligible patients, 3210 patients underwent CR. Propensity score matching yielded 2804 pairs. Mean age was 77±12 years and 3127 (55.8%) were male. During a mean follow-up of 2.8 years, the CR group had lower incidence rates of the composite outcome (291 versus 327 events per 1000 patient-years; rate ratio, 0.890 [95% CI, 0.830-0.954]; P=0.001) and rehospitalization due to cardiovascular event (262 versus 295 events per 1000 patient-years; rate ratio, 0.888 [95% CI, 0.825-0.956]; P=0.002) than the no CR group. In-hospital CR was associated with an improvement in Barthel index for activities of daily living (P=0.002). Patients with very low Barthel index at admission were benefited by CR in comparison with patients with independent Barthel index (very low; hazard ratio, 0.834 [95% CI, 0.742-0.938]: independent; hazard ratio, 0.985 [95% CI, 0.891-1.088]; P for interaction=0.035).

CONCLUSIONS

CR implementation during hospitalization was associated with better long-term outcomes in patients with acute decompensated HF. These data support the need for a randomized, controlled, adequately powered trial to definitively test the role of early physical rehabilitation in hospitalized patients with HF.

Postoperative tolvaptan use in left ventricular assist device patients: The TOLVAD randomized pilot study

PURPOSE

Tolvaptan, a selective vasopressin type-2 antagonist, has been shown to increase serum sodium (Na) and urine output in hyponatremic left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients in retrospective studies. In this prospective randomized pilot study, we aimed to assess the efficacy of tolvaptan in this population.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective, randomized, non-blinded pilot study of LVAD recipients with post-operative hyponatremia (Na < 135 mEq/L) (NCT05408104). Eligible participants were randomized to receive tolvaptan 15 mg daily in addition to usual care versus usual care alone. The primary outcome was a change in Na level and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), from the first post-operative day of hyponatremia (the day of randomization) to discharge.

RESULTS

A total of 33 participants were enrolled, and 28 underwent randomization (median age 55 [IQR 50-62]), 21% women, 54% Black, 32% ischemic cardiomyopathy, median baseline Na 135 (IQR 134-138). Fifteen participants were randomized to tolvaptan (TLV) and 13 were randomized to usual care alone (No-TLV). Mean change in Na from randomization to discharge in the TLV group was 2.7 mEq/L (95%CI 0.7-4.7, p = 0.013) and 1.8 (95%CI 0.5-4.0, p = 0.11) in the No-TLV group, though baseline and final Na levels were similar between groups. The mean change in eGFR was 2.6 ml/min/1.73 m2 (95%CI 10.1-15.3, p = 0.59) in TLV versus 7.5 ml/min/1.73 m2 (95%CI 5.2-20.2, p = 0.15) in No-TLV. TLV participants had significantly more urine output than No-TLV patients during their first 24 h after randomization (3294 vs 2155 ml, p = 0.043).

CONCLUSION

TLV significantly increases urine output, with nominal improvement in Na level, in hyponatremic post-operative LVAD patients without adversely impacting renal function.

Fulminant necrotizing eosinophilic myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination survived with mechanical circulatory support

A 69‐year‐old man was hospitalized for heart failure 7 days after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) mRNA vaccination. Electrocardiography showed ST‐segment elevation and echocardiography demonstrated severe left ventricular dysfunction. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and Impella 5.0 were instituted because of cardiogenic shock and ventricular fibrillation. Endomyocardial biopsy demonstrated necrotizing eosinophilic myocarditis (NEM). Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV2) PCR test was negative. He had no infection or history of new drug exposure. NEM was likely related to COVID‐19 vaccination. He was administered 10 mg/kg of prednisolone following methylprednisolone pulse treatment (1000 mg/day for 3 days). Left ventricular function recovered and he was weaned from mechanical circulatory support (MCS). Follow‐up endomyocardial biopsy showed no inflammatory cell infiltration. This is the first report of biopsy‐proven NEM after COVID‐19 vaccination survived with MCS and immunosuppression therapy. It is a rare condition but early, accurate diagnosis and early aggressive intervention can rescue patients.

Home-based cardiac rehabilitation using information and communication technology for heart failure patients with frailty

AIMS

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an evidence-based, secondary preventive strategy that improves mortality and morbidity rates in patients with heart failure (HF). However, the implementation and continuation of CR remains unsatisfactory, particularly for outpatients with physical frailty. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of a comprehensive home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR) programme that combines patient education, exercise guidance, and nutritional guidance using information and communication technology (ICT).

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study was a single-centre, open-label, randomized, controlled trial. Between April 2020 and November 2020, 30 outpatients with chronic HF (New York Heart Association II-III) and physical frailty were enrolled. The control group (n = 15) continued with standard care, while the HBCR group (n = 15) also received comprehensive, individualized CR, including ICT-based exercise and nutrition guidance using ICT via a Fitbit® device for 3 months. The CR team communicated with each patient in HBCR group once a week via the application messaging tool and planned the training frequency and intensity of training individually for the next week according to each patient's symptoms and recorded pulse data during exercise. Dietitians conducted a nutritional assessment and then provided individual nutritional advice using the picture-posting function of the application. The primary outcome was the change in the 6 min walking distance (6MWD). The participants' mean age was 63.7 ± 10.1 years, 53% were male, and 87% had non-ischaemic heart disease. The observed change in the 6MWD was significantly greater in the HBCR group (52.1 ± 43.9 m vs. -4.3 ± 38.8 m; P < 0.001) at a 73% of adherence rate. There was no significant change in adverse events in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our comprehensive HBCR programme using ICT for HF patients with physical frailty improved exercise tolerance and improved lower extremity muscle strength in our sample, suggesting management with individualized ICT-based programmes as a safe and effective approach. Considering the increasing number of HF patients with frailty worldwide, our approach provides an efficient method to keep patients engaged in physical activity in their daily life.

Endovascular therapy for intracranial infectious aneurysms associated with a left ventricular assist device: illustrative case

BACKGROUND

Cerebrovascular events and infection are among the most common complications of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy. The authors reported on a patient with an infectious intracranial aneurysm (IIA) associated with LVAD infection that was successfully occluded by endovascular therapy.

OBSERVATIONS

A 37-year-old man with severe heart failure received an implantable LVAD. He was diagnosed with candidemia due to driveline infection 44 months after LVAD implantation, and empirical antibiotic therapy was started. After 4 days of antibiotic treatment, the patient experienced sudden dizziness. Computed tomography (CT) revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage in the right frontal lobe, and CT angiography revealed multiple aneurysms in the peripheral lesion of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and middle cerebral artery. Two weeks and 4 days after the first bleeding, aneurysms on the ACA reruptured. Each aneurysm was treated with endovascular embolization using n-butyl cyanoacrylate. Subsequently, the patient had no rebleeding of IIAs. The LVAD was replaced, and bloodstream infection was controlled. He received a heart transplant and was independent 2 years after the heart transplant.

LESSONS

LVAD-associated IIAs have high mortality and an increased risk of surgical complications. However, endovascular obliteration may be safe and thus improve prognosis.

Significance of mitral L wave to predict late recurrence of atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency catheter ablation

Background

Mitral L wave, prominent mid-diastolic filling wave in echocardiographic examinations, is associated with severe left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, and that has been reported to predict recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) after cardioversion. However, association between mitral L wave and the outcome of AF after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) has not been established.

Objective

The aim of this study is to evaluate the predictive value of mitral L wave on AF recurrence after RFCA.

Methods

250 patients including 164 paroxysmal AF (65.6%) and 86 non-paroxysmal AF (34.4%) who received RFCA in single center from January 2015 to December 2016 were enrolled consecutively. Echocardiographic examinations before RFCA were recorded, and the mitral L wave was defined as a distinct mid-diastolic flow velocity with a peak velocity ≥20 cm/s following the E wave. Systematic follow-up was conducted after RFCA. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to determine the factors predicting late recurrence of AF (LRAF) which means AF recurrence after 3 months. Enrolled patients were divided into groups with the L wave (L-group; n=57) or without the L wave (NL-group; n=193) based on the findings of echocardiographic examinations.

Results

During a follow-up of 35.0±17.6 months, the ratio of LRAF in the L-group was significantly higher than that in the NL-group (32 (56.1%) vs. 41 (21.2%), Hazard ratio [HR]: 3.55, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.33 - 5.42, p&lt;0.001). Among the clinical factors, presence of mitral L wave, BNP value, non-paroxysmal AF and moderate-severe mitral regurgitation were related to LRAF. A multivariate analysis using a Cox proportional hazard model found that presence of mitral L wave (HR: 2.67, 95% CI: 1.30 - 5.48, p=0.007) was significantly associated with LRAF.

Conclusion

This study revealed that mitral L wave predicts late recurrence of AF after RFCA.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Undiagnosed Cardiac Sarcoidosis Causing Refractory Heart Failure After Acute Myocardial Infarction due to Thromboembolism

A 61-year-old woman suffered chest pain and was admitted to a nearby hospital emergency department. She was diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction probably due to thromboembolism in the left anterior descending coronary artery and aspiration thrombectomy was performed. Afterwards, she developed refractory heart failure with severe global left ventricular dysfunction and was transferred to our hospital. An ¹⁸F-FDG-PET/CT scan revealed abnormal ¹⁸F-FDG uptake in non-infarcted regions of the left ventricle. Non-caseating granulomas were detected by biopsy from a skin eruption. She was diagnosed with cardiac sarcoidosis. In cases of refractory heart failure which cannot be explained only by myocardial infarction, evaluation of other undiagnosed cardiomyopathies is important for optimal management.

Discordance between immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry C4d staining and outcomes following heart transplantation

BACKGROUND

Capillary deposition of C4d is an important marker of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) following heart transplantation (HT). There are two immunopathologic assay methods for detecting C4d: frozen-tissue immunofluorescence (IF) and paraffin immunohistochemistry (IHC). The clinical significance of discrepancy between the results of IF and IHC has not been understood.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We reviewed 2187 biopsies from 142 HT recipients who had biopsies with assessment of both IF and IHC staining. Among them, 103 (73%) patients had negative IF and IHC C4d staining (Negative Group) and 32 (23%) patients had positive IF but negative IHC staining (Discordant Group). At the time of positive biopsy, 6 (19%) Discordant patients had graft dysfunction, compared to 5 (5%) Negative patients (p = .022). Cumulative incidence of cellular rejection at 1 year was comparable (31% vs. 29%, p = .46); however, cumulative incidence of AMR was significantly higher in the Discordant group (21% vs. 4%, p = .004). Overall 1-year survival was comparable (90% vs. 96%, p = .24); however, freedom from heart failure (HF) was significantly lower in the Discordant group (70% vs. 96%, p < .001).

CONCLUSION

The Discordant group showed higher rates of graft dysfunction, AMR and HF admission than the Negative group.

Donor-derived cell-free DNA is associated with cardiac allograft vasculopathy

BACKGROUND

The role of donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) in screening for cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is unknown. We hypothesized that dd-cfDNA correlates with CAV, markers of inflammation, and angiogenesis in stable heart transplant (HT) recipients.

METHODS

Sixty-five HT recipients ≥2 years post-transplant, without recent rejection, were stratified by high (≥0.12%) versus low levels (<0.12%) of dd-cfDNA. A targeted amplification, next-generation sequencing assay (AlloSure^® ; CareDx, Inc.) was used to detect dd-cfDNA. Peripheral blood inflammatory and angiogenesis markers were assessed using a multiplex immunoassay system (Bioplex^® ).

RESULTS

Of 65 patients, 58 patients had a known CAV status and were included. Thirty had high levels of dd-cfDNA (≥0.12%), and 28 had low levels (<0.12%). CAV was present in 63% of patients with high dd-cfDNA vs. 35% with low dd-cfDNA (p = .047). Donor-specific antibodies were present in 25% of patients with high dd-cfDNA vs. 3.8% in those with low dd-cfDNA (p = .03). There were no differences in rejection episodes, inflammatory, or angiogenesis markers. Importantly, dd-cfDNA levels were not different when stratified by time post-transplant.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher dd-cfDNA levels were associated with CAV in stable chronic HT recipients. Further studies are warranted to investigate a possible association between dd-cfDNA levels and CAV severity and whether dd-cfDNA can predict CAV progression.

Usefulness of Muscle Synergy Analysis in Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis During Gait

OBJECTIVE

To clarify whether there are any muscle synergy changes in individuals with knee osteoarthritis, and to determine whether muscle synergy analysis could be applied to other musculoskeletal diseases.

METHODS

Subjects in this study included 11 young controls (YC), 10 elderly controls (EC), and 10 knee osteoarthritis patients (KOA). Gait was assessed on a split-belt treadmill at 3 km/h. A non-negative matrix factorization (NNMF) was applied to the electromyogram data matrix to extract muscle synergies. To assess the similarity of each module, we performed the NNMF analysis assuming four modules for all of the participants. Further, we calculated joint angles to compare the kinematic data between the module groups.

RESULTS

The number of muscle modules was significantly lower in the EC (2-3) and KOA (2-3) groups than in the YC group (3-4), which reflects the merging of late swing and early stance modules. The EC and KOA groups also showed greater knee flexion angles in the early stance phase. Contrarily, by focusing on the module structure, we found that the merging of early and late stance modules is characteristic in KOA.

CONCLUSION

The lower number of modules in the EC and KOA groups was due to the muscle co-contraction with increased knee flexion angle. Contrarily, the merging of early and late stance modules are modular structures specific to KOA and may be biomarkers for detecting KOA.

SIGNIFICANCE

Describing the changes in multiple muscle control associated with musculoskeletal degeneration can serve as a fundamental biomarker in joint disease.

Electrocardiographic evaluation of depolarization and repolarization abnormalities in breast cancer patients with HER2-inhibitor related cardiac dysfunction

Background

The arrhythmic substrates of the myocardium such as depolarization and repolarization abnormalities are thought to reflect cardiac dysfunction prior to the morphologic left ventricular dysfunction. Activation time (AT), recovery time (RT) and T wave peek-end interval dispersion (Tpe-dispersion) are useful indicators of the arrhythmic substrate. We examined the appearance of depolarization and repolarization abnormalities in patients with cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) using AT, RT and Tpe-dispersion.

Methods

We conducted a standardized case-control study of CTRCD with 40 patients who developed breast cancer and treated with trastuzumab (13 cases and 27 controls). We assessed the relation between electrocardiographic indexes, including AT, RT and corrected Tpe-dispersion, and CTRCD. QT intervals were measured by Fridericia method, and QT observer 3 software were used for the measurement of all electrocardiographic indexes.

Results

LVEF in case and control group were 45.7±8% and 69.2±6%, respectively. AT in aVR lead was significantly higher in case group compared with control (28.8±7ms vs 22.8±5ms, P=0.02). corrected Tpe-dispersion tended to be higher in case group than that of control group (43.2±19ms vs 31.9±10ms, P=0.06). QT dispersion and RT dispersion were not different between case and control group.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that AT in aVR may predict cardiac dysfunction in breast cancer patients with HER2-inhibitor related cardiac dysfunction. More detailed studies using other modalities which can detect depolarization and repolarization abnormalities, including ventricular late potentials and T wave alternans, are needed.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Impact of worsening of aortic insufficiency during HeartMate 3 LVAD support

Aortic insufficiency remains a difficult to treat and highly morbid condition even in the era of HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). The prognostic nature of the longitudinal progression of aortic insufficiency, however, remains unknown. We prospectively collected data on patients who received HeartMate 3 LVAD implantation, who had assessments of aortic insufficiency using a novel Doppler echocardiography obtained at outflow graft at three (baseline) and 6 months postimplant. Patients with moderate or greater aortic insufficiency at baseline were excluded. The risk of aortic insufficiency progression on 1-year death and readmission for heart failure was investigated. In total, 41 patients (median 51 years old and 29 males) were included. All patients had less than moderate aortic insufficiency at baseline. Of them, 22 patients had worsening aortic insufficiency for 3 months following baseline assessments, which was associated with a significantly higher risk of 1-year death or heart failure readmission rate (41% vs. 11%, P = .023) with a hazard ratio of 3.24 (95% confidence interval 1.02-18.5, P = .038) adjusted for device speed at baseline and destination therapy indication. In patients with HeartMate 3 LVADs, progressive aortic insufficiency may be associated with a higher risk of 1-year death or readmission for heart failure. Close monitoring of patients with baseline aortic insufficiency should be considered as a measure to risk-stratify those for future adverse events.

Antibody-like proteins that capture and neutralize SARS-CoV-2

To combat severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and any unknown emerging pathogens in the future, the development of a rapid and effective method to generate high-affinity antibodies or antibody-like proteins is of critical importance. We here report high-speed in vitro selection of multiple high-affinity antibody-like proteins against various targets including the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The sequences of monobodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were successfully procured within only 4 days. Furthermore, the obtained monobody efficiently captured SARS-CoV-2 particles from the nasal swab samples of patients and exhibited a high neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 infection (half-maximal inhibitory concentration, 0.5 nanomolar). High-speed in vitro selection of antibody-like proteins is a promising method for rapid development of a detection method for, and of a neutralizing protein against, a virus responsible for an ongoing, and possibly a future, pandemic.

Hypogammaglobulinemia following heart transplantation: Prevalence, predictors, and clinical importance

Hypogammaglobulinemia (HGG) can occur following solid organ transplantation. However, there are limited data describing the prevalence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes associated with HGG following heart transplantation. We retrospectively reviewed data of 132 patients who had undergone heart transplantation at our institution between April 2014 and December 2018. We classified patients into three groups based on the lowest serum IgG level post-transplant: normal (≥700 mg/dL), mild HGG (≥450 and <700 mg/dL), and severe HGG (<450 mg/dL). We compared clinical outcomes from the date of the lowest IgG level. Mean age was 57 (47, 64) years, and 94 (71%) patients were male. Prevalence of severe HGG was the highest (27%) at 3-6 months following heart transplantation and then decreased to 5% after 1 year. Multivariate analysis showed that older age and Caucasian race were independent risk factors for HGG. Overall survival was comparable between the groups; however, survival free of infection was 73%, 60%, and 45% at 1 year in the normal, mild HGG, and severe HGG groups, respectively (P = .013). In conclusion, there is a high prevalence of HGG in the early post-heart transplant period that decreases over time. HGG is associated with an increased incidence of infection.

HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device Cannula Position and Hemocompatibility-Related Adverse Events

BACKGROUND

HeartWare ventricular assist device (HVAD) cannula position is associated with hemodynamics and heart failure readmissions. However, its impact on hemocompatibility-related adverse events (HRAEs) remains uncertain.

METHODS

HVAD patients were followed for 1 year after index hospitalization, when cannula coronal angle was quantified from chest x-ray film. Invasive right heart catheterization and transthoracic echocardiography were performed. One-year occurrences of each HRAE were compared between those with and without a cannula coronal angle of greater than 65 degrees.

RESULTS

Among 63 HVAD patients (median age 60 years, 63% male), 10 (16%) had a cannula coronal angle greater than 65 degrees. The wide-angle group had elevated intracardiac pressures and lower pulmonary artery pulsatility index (P < .05). They also had reduced right ventricular function by echocardiography. Freedom from HRAEs tended to be lower in the wide-angle group (24% vs 62%; P = .11). The rate of gastrointestinal bleeding was significantly higher in the greater than 65 degrees group (0.90 events/year vs 0.40 events/year; P = .013). The rates of stroke and pump thrombosis were statistically comparable irrespective of cannula angle (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

HVAD cannula coronal angle was associated with reduced right ventricular function and HRAEs. Prospective studies evaluating surgical techniques to ensure optimal device positioning and its effects on HRAEs are warranted.

A Rare Manifestation of Right Ventricular Dysfunction in an Adult Patient With Mucolipidosis Type III α/β

Mucolipidosis type III α/β is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease, caused by the deficient activity of UDP-N-acetyl glucosamine-1-phosphotransferase. The resultant intralysosomal accumulation of partly degraded mucopolysaccharides and sphingolipids causes multiple-organ damage, including the heart. The most documented cardiac manifestation is the thickening and insufficiency of mitral and aortic valves, but there are very few reports about the myocardial involvement. We report a case with mucolipidosis type III α/β complicated by marked dilatation and dysfunction of the right ventricle, which is quite rare and further broadens the clinical spectrum of the disease.

Optimal cannula positioning of HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device

Cannula position in HeartMate II and HeartWare left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) is associated with clinical outcome. This study aimed to investigate the clinical implication of the device positioning in HeartMate 3 LVAD cohort. Consecutive patients who underwent HeartMate 3 LVAD implantation were followed for one year from index discharge. At index discharge, chest X-ray parameters were measured: (a) cannula coronal angle, (b) height of pump bottom, (c) cannula sagittal angle, and (d) cannula lumen area. The association of each measurement of cannula position with one-year clinical outcomes was investigated. Sixty-four HeartMate 3 LVAD patients (58 years old, 64% male) were enrolled. In the multivariable Cox regression model, the cannula coronal angle was a significant predictor of death or heart failure readmission (hazard ratio 1.27 [1.01-1.60], P = .045). Patients with a cannula coronal angle ≤28° had lower central venous pressure (P = .030), lower pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (P = .027), and smaller left ventricular size (P = .019) compared to those with the angle >28°. Right ventricular size and parameters of right ventricular function were also better in the narrow angle group, as was one-year cumulative incidence of death or heart failure readmission (10% vs. 50%, P = .008). Narrow cannula coronal angle in patients with HeartMate 3 LVADs was associated with improved cardiac unloading and lower incidence of death or heart failure readmission. Larger studies to confirm the implication of optimal device positioning are warranted.

Internal Delensing of Cosmic Microwave Background Polarization B-Modes with the POLARBEAR Experiment

Using only cosmic microwave background polarization data from the polarbear experiment, we measure B-mode polarization delensing on subdegree scales at more than 5σ significance. We achieve a 14% B-mode power variance reduction, the highest to date for internal delensing, and improve this result to 22% by applying for the first time an iterative maximum a posteriori delensing method. Our analysis demonstrates the capability of internal delensing as a means of improving constraints on inflationary models, paving the way for the optimal analysis of next-generation primordial B-mode experiments.

Impact of Hospital Practice Factors on Mortality in Patients Hospitalized for Heart Failure in Japan - An Analysis of a Large Number of Health Records From a Nationwide Claims-Based Database, the JROAD-DPC

BACKGROUND

An inverse relationship exists between hospital case volume and mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). However, hospital performance factors associated with mortality in HF patients have not been examined. We aimed to identify these using exploratory factor analysis and assess the relationship between these factors and 7-day, 30-day, and in-hospital mortality among HF patients in Japan.Methods and Results:We analyzed the records of 198,861 patients admitted to 683 certified hospitals of the Japanese Circulation Society between 2012 and 2014. Records were obtained from the nationwide database of the Japanese Registry Of All cardiac and vascular Diseases-Diagnostic Procedure Combination (JROAD-DPC). Using exploratory factor analysis, 90 hospital survey items were grouped into 5 factors, according to their collinearity: "Interventional cardiology", "Cardiovascular surgery", "Pediatric cardiology", "Electrophysiology" and "Cardiac rehabilitation". Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between these factors and mortality. The 30-day mortality was 8.0%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed the "Pediatric cardiology" (odds ratio (OR) 0.677, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.628-0.729, P<0.0001), "Electrophysiology" (OR 0.876, 95% CI: 0.832-0.923, P<0.0001), and "Cardiac rehabilitation" (OR 0.832, 95% CI: 0.792-0.873, P<0.0001) factors were associated with lower mortality. In contrast, "Interventional cardiology" (OR 1.167, 95% CI: 1.070-1.272, P<0.0001) was associated with higher mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Hospital factors, including various cardiovascular therapeutic practices, may be associated with the early death of HF patients.

Effect of Concomitant Tricuspid Valve Surgery With Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

BACKGROUND

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is common in advanced heart failure (HF) patients. However, the effect of concomitant tricuspid valve repair or replacement (tricuspid valve intervention [TVI]) with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the longitudinal trend of TR after LVAD implantation and the effect of TVI on the TR trend and clinical outcomes.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients at our institution who underwent LVAD implantation between April 2014 and August 2018. We evaluated the grade of TR by echocardiography before and after LVAD implantation. Moderate or greater TR was defined as significant.

RESULTS

Among 199 consecutive patients, 194 had at least 2 echocardiographic TR assessments before and after LVAD implantation. Of these patients, 108 were included in the TVI-positive (TVI+) group and 86 in the TVI-negative (TVI-) group. In the TVI+ group, the prevalence of significant TR decreased from 52% to about 20% in the first 6 months after implantation (P < .01). Overall survival and HF readmission-free survival were comparable between the TVI+ and TVI- patients. In contrast, patients in both groups who had significant postoperative TR during early follow-up had worse 2-year HF readmission-free survival (36% in patients with significant postoperative TR vs 55% in those without significant postoperative TR; P = .028).

CONCLUSIONS

Concomitant TVI with LVAD implantation improved TR in most patients but did not have an impact on clinical outcomes. Significant postoperative TR after LVAD implantation, in patients with and without TVI, was associated with worse HF-free outcomes.

Longitudinal Trajectories of Hemodynamics Following Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

BACKGROUND

Continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) improve the hemodynamics of patients with advanced heart failure. However, the longitudinal trajectories of hemodynamics in patients after LVAD implantation remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the trends of hemodynamic parameters following LVAD implantation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent LVAD implantation between April 2014 and August 2018. We collected hemodynamic parameters from right heart catheterizations. Of 199 consecutive patients, we enrolled 150 patients who had both pre- and postimplant right heart catheterizations. They had 3 (2, 4) postimplant right heart catheterizations during a follow-up of 2.3 (1.3, 3.1) years. The mean age was 57 ± 13 years, and 102 patients (68%) were male. Following LVAD implantation, pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure decreased, and cardiac index increased significantly, then remained unchanged throughout follow-up. Right atrial pressure decreased initially and then gradually increased to preimplant values. The pulmonary artery pulsatility index decreased initially and returned to preimplant values, then progressively decreased over longer follow-up. Subgroup analysis showed significant differences in the trajectories of the pulmonary artery pulsatility index based on gender.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite improvement in left-side filling pressures and cardiac index following LVAD implantation, right atrial pressure increased and the pulmonary artery pulsatility index decreased over time, suggesting progressive right ventricular dysfunction.

HVAD Flow Waveform Estimates Left Ventricular Filling Pressure

BACKGROUND

HVAD left ventricular assist device flow waveforms provides graphical real-time information linking device performance with invasive hemodynamics. Previous studies have demonstrated a good correlation between the slopes of the ventricular filling phase slope (VFPS) and directly measured pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP). We aimed to validate the utility of VFPS to estimate PCWP and predict clinical outcomes.

METHODS

In this prospective blinded study, screenshots from the HVAD monitor and simultaneous invasive hemodynamic measurements were obtained. Each screenshot was digitized and the VFPS was calculated by 2 independent reviewers who were blinded to the hemodynamic results. The equation PCWP = 7.053 +1.365 × (VFPS) was derived from a previously published dataset and the estimated PCWP was correlated to the actually measured PCWP.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty-one sets of simultaneous measurements (VFPS and PCWP) were obtained from 27 HVAD patients (mean age 55 years, 47% male). A previously proposed cutoff of VFPS ≥5.8 L/min/s predicted PCWP ≥ 18 mmHg with 91.5% sensitivity and 95.2% specificity with the area under curve of 0.987. The estimated PCWP significantly correlated with measured PCWP (R² = 0.65, P < .001) and showed acceptable agreement with measured PCWP. Patients with VFPS ≥ 5.8 L/min/s experienced significantly higher heart failure readmission rates than those without (0.24 vs 0.05 events/y, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

VFPS of the HVAD flow waveform is a novel noninvasive parameter that can estimate PCWP.

Deep Y-Descent in Right Atrial Waveforms Following Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

BACKGROUND

Characterization of right heart catheterization (RHC) waveforms provides diagnostic and clinical information in heart failure patients. We aimed to investigate the implication of RHC waveforms, specifically the y-descent, in patients with left ventricular assist device (LVAD).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Patients underwent RHC and waveforms were quantified prior to and 6 months after LVAD implantation. The impact of a deep y-descent (>3 mmHg) on echocardiographic measures of right heart function and 1-year hemocompatibility-related adverse event rates were investigated. Eighty-nine patients (median 59 years old, 65 male) underwent RHC. RHC waveform showed unique changes following LVAD implantation, particularly an increase in the steepness of the y-descent. A post-LVAD deep y-descent was associated with reduced right ventricular function and enlarged right heart. Patients with post-LVAD deep y-descent had higher rates of gastrointestinal bleeding (0.866 vs 0.191 events/year) and stroke (0.199 vs 0 events/year) compared with those without (P< .05 for both).

CONCLUSION

RHC waveforms characterized by deep y-descent on RHC waveform during LVAD support was associated with impaired right ventricular function and worse clinical outcomes.

P93 The usefulness of dual cardiac autonomic nervous modulation assessment for prediction of mortality in patients with relatively preserved left ventricular ejection fraction

Background

Recent guidelines have stated that reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is the gold standard marker for identifying patients at risk for cardiac mortality. Although reduced LVEF identifies patients at an increased risk of cardiac arrest, sudden cardiac deaths (SCDs) occur considerably more often in patients with relatively preserved LVEF. Current guidelines on SCDs risk stratification do not adequately cover this general population pool. Heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate turbulence (HRT) are non-invasive electrocardiography (ECG)-based techniques capable of providing relevant information on the cardiac autonomic nervous modulation. Although a large body of evidence about autonomic nervous modulation markers has been reported, the usefulness of HRV and HRT parameters for risk stratification in such patients with relatively preserved LVEF has not yet been elucidated.

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate HRV and HRT parameters for predicting cardiac mortality in patients with structural heart disease (SHD), including ischemic heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and valvular heart disease, who have mid-range left ventricular dysfunction (LVD).

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 229 patients (187 men, age 63 ± 13 years) with SHD who have mid-range LVD (LVEF &gt; 40%). HRV and HRT parameters based on 24-hour ambulatory ECG recordings (Fukuda Denshi Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) were evaluated as follows; SDNN, triangular index, high and low frequency HRV, turbulence onset and slope. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to assess the association between these cardiac autonomic nervous modulation and mortality.

Results

During a mean follow-up of 21 ± 11 months, all-cause mortality was seen in 11 (4.8%) patients. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that reduced SDNN (&lt;50ms), reduced triangular index (&lt;20ms) and HRT category 2 were significantly associated with the primary endpoint (P &lt; 0.05). When HRT category 2 combined with reduced SDNN, Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that this combination more strongly associates with the primary endpoint (hazard ratio =7.91, 95%CI, 1.82-34.2; P = 0.006).

Conclusion

Dual cardiac autonomic nervous modulation assessment which combined HRT and HRV could be a superior technique to predict mortality in patients with relatively preserved LVEF.

Estimation of the Severity of Aortic Insufficiency by HVAD Flow Waveform

PURPOSE

Aortic insufficiency (AI) significantly affects morbidity and mortality in patients with left ventricular assist devices. Although AI may be commonly assessed by echocardiography, expert techniques are required for accurate quantification of AI severity.

DESCRIPTION

In this prospective blinded study, screenshots from the HVAD (Medtronic, Framingham, MA) display and simultaneous echocardiographic measurements were obtained. Each screenshot was digitized and the early diastolic phase slope was calculated, with blinding to the echocardiographic results. The regurgitant fraction of AI was quantified by Doppler echocardiography of the outflow graft.

EVALUATION

A total of 30 patients (median, 57 years old; 57% male) were enrolled. A cutoff of -17.6 L/min/s for the early diastolic phase slope had a sensitivity of 0.92 and a specificity of 0.53 to estimate significant AI with a regurgitant fraction of 30% or greater, and it significantly stratified patients into a low regurgitant faction group (0.3%) and a high regurgitant fraction group (33.0%) (P = .009). The early diastolic phase slope had a moderate correlation with the actually measured regurgitant fraction (r = .50).

CONCLUSIONS

The early diastolic phase slope of the HVAD flow waveform may be a parameter that can estimate the presence of clinically significant AI.

P3754Comparison of the transdermal bisoprolol patch with the oral bisoprolol fumarate administration as a therapeutic agent for idiopathic frequent premature ventricular contractions

Background

The transdermal bisoprolol patch (TB) was designed to maintain a sustained concentration of bisoprolol in plasma by higher trough concentration than the oral bisoporolol fumarate administration (OB). It is unclear whether the TB is as effective in treating idiopathic premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) as the OB.

Purpose

We compared the efficacy between the TB and OB in treating idiopathic PVCs while considering their duration of action.

Methods

Among 198 patients with a PVC count of ≥3,000 beats/24 hours, 84 patients were divided into groups treated with TB 4mg (n=50) or OB 2.5mg (n=34). The PVCs were divided into positive heart rate (HR)-dependent PVCs (P-PVCs) and non-positive HR-dependent PVCs (NP-PVCs) based on the relationship between the hourly PVCs density and hourly mean HR. To evaluate the efficacy, PVC counts by 24-hour Holter electrocardiograms were measured at baseline and at 1 month after the initiation of the therapy.

Results

There were no significant between-group differences for the mean HR, PVC count, or type of PVCs. Both the TB (from 16,692±9,737 to 10,442±10,711 beats/24 hours, P<0.001) and OB (from 19,633±16,298 to 9,235±12,124 beats/24 hours, P<0.001) significantly decreased the total PVC count after the initiation of therapy, and a comparison between the two drugs showed no significant difference (P=0.46). In the P-PVC group, both the TB and OB significantly decreased the total PVC count (P<0.001, P=0.022 respectively), PVC count during the day-time (P<0.001, P=0.030 respectively), and PVC count during the night-time (P=0.0038, P=0.022 respectively). In contrast, in the NP-PVC group, neither the TB nor OB made any significantly change in the total PVC count (P=0.079, P=0.10 respectively), PVC count during the day-time (P=0.35, P=0.12 respectively), or PVC count during the night-time (P=0.11, P=0.12 respectively). The TB exhibited a significant reduction during each time period regarding the changes within 24-hours in the P-PVC count from baseline, while the OB did not significantly reduce the P-PVC count from baseline during each time period between 0 and 5 o'clock.

Conclusions

Compared with the OB, the TB could be used with the same efficacy for reducing the PVC count. The TB could be a more useful therapeutic agent for idiopathic P-PVCs during a 24-hour period than the OB.