Heterogeneous cardiac sympathetic innervation gradients promote arrhythmogenesis in murine dilated cardiomyopathy

Ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) in heart failure are enhanced by sympathoexcitation. However, radiotracer studies of catecholamine uptake in failing human hearts demonstrate a proclivity for VAs in patients with reduced cardiac sympathetic innervation. We hypothesized that this counterintuitive finding is explained by heterogeneous loss of sympathetic nerves in the failing heart. In a murine model of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), delayed PET imaging of sympathetic nerve density using the catecholamine analog [11C]meta-Hydroxyephedrine demonstrated global hypoinnervation in ventricular myocardium. Although reduced, sympathetic innervation in 2 distinct DCM models invariably exhibited transmural (epicardial to endocardial) gradients, with the endocardium being devoid of sympathetic nerve fibers versus controls. Further, the severity of transmural innervation gradients was correlated with VAs. Transmural innervation gradients were also identified in human left ventricular free wall samples from DCM versus controls. We investigated mechanisms underlying this relationship by in silico studies in 1D, 2D, and 3D models of failing and normal human hearts, finding that arrhythmogenesis increased as heterogeneity in sympathetic innervation worsened. Specifically, both DCM-induced myocyte electrical remodeling and spatially inhomogeneous innervation gradients synergistically worsened arrhythmogenesis. Thus, heterogeneous innervation gradients in DCM promoted arrhythmogenesis. Restoration of homogeneous sympathetic innervation in the failing heart may reduce VAs.

Genomic Characterization of Cervical Tumors Driven by Rare High-Risk HPV Subtypes Utilizing a Deep Learning Framework

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

As many as 30-50% of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) experience recurrence after chemoradiation therapy (CRT). More sophisticated prognostic schemes and targeted therapeutic options are urgently needed. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for the majority of invasive cervical carcinomas, most commonly HPV 16 and 18 subtypes. In large part due to their rarity, little is known about the biologic behavior of LACC driven by non-16/18 HPV genotypes. We hypothesized that rare HPV subtypes drive distinct gene expression patterns. To aid in the common dilemma of limited sample procurement, we developed a tool which leverages population data and generative adversarial neural network (GAN) modelling to exploit patterns of gene expression of small phenotypic groups for downstream analysis. Here, we employed a deep learning approach to identify gene expression patterns unique to tumors caused by rare HPV subtypes.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Whole transcriptome analysis of tumor biopsies from an institutional LACC tumor bank were employed including 130 HPV16/18 positive, and at least 3 each of rare HPV subtypes 31, 33, 39, 45, 52, 58, and 59. A Wasserstein GAN model (WGAN) was trained for each rare HPV subtype, and used to generate augmented rare HPV population data for downstream differential expression testing between rare HPV subtypes and HPV16/18. K-means clustering analysis was performed using R stats package. Differential gene expression testing between rare HPV subtype populations was performed using the EdgeR R-package. Pathway Enrichment analysis was conducted using EnrichR software.

RESULTS

By minimizing intergroup clustering distance, 3 clusters of HPV driven disease were demonstrated. The first cluster demonstrated biology similar to HPV16 and HPV18. Namely, pathway enrichment analysis performed on lists of differentially expressed genes between GAN augmented rare HPV subtypes (HPV45, HPV52, and HPV58) and classical HPV subtypes 16 and 18, yielded no significant statistical differences. The second cluster demonstrated enriched gene expression in proinflammatory IL-1 and IL-6 family cytokines and focal adhesion signaling (HPV31, HPV33, HPV39) (IL-1 regulation of extracellular matrix, p = 5.0e-6; Oncostatin M signaling, p = 2.0e-7; Integrin Signaling, 2.5e-7). The last cluster demonstrated an increased Th2/myeloid signature (HPV59) (T helper cell surface molecules 1.2e-7, myeloid cell signature 8.5e-9).

CONCLUSION

Utilizing a deep learning architecture to model gene expression of rare HPV subtypes we demonstrate 3 groups of HPV driven cervical cancer biology. These groups include a classical subtype, a high IL-1/IL-6 high subtype, and a myeloid associated subtype. Knowledge of such tumor heterogeneity can aid in the future development of targeted treatment plans and patient prognosis.

Mutational Landscape of ER Receptor Negative Endometrial Cancer Patients Categorized as No Specific Molecular Profile (NSMP)

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

The endometrial cancer (EC) molecular classification introduced by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) has initiated molecular-based classification with clear prognostic value. Four major tumor subtypes exist: 1) TP53 mutation (p53abn); 2) POLE mutation (POLEmut); 3) mismatch repair protein deficient (MMRd); and 4) no specific molecular profile (NSMP). Of these subtypes, p53abn patients exhibited the worst prognosis. Recently, a prognostic refinement of NSMP EC using estrogen receptor (ER) status, from PORTEC-III trial data, showed that (ER-) NSMP patients had a strikingly poor prognosis, similar to p53abn patients. Currently, drivers of NSMP (ER-) disease are unknown and require genomic characterization. In this study, we perform an integrated molecular analysis to characterize this aggressive and poorly understood cohort.

MATERIALS/METHODS

RNAseq and mutational data was downloaded from the TCGA, PanCancer Atlas, Uterine Endometrial Carcinoma dataset via the genomic data commons (GDC). All patients in this cohort demonstrated endometrioid histology. P53abn, and POLE mutated patients were filtered using mutational data. MMRd and NSMP ESR1 gene low expressors (ER Low) were filtered using Z-score cutoffs of RNAseq expression data. Survival analysis was performed using the Survival R-package. Gene expression testing was performed using the EdgeR R-package. Pathway Enrichment analysis was conducted using EnrichR software.

RESULTS

Forty-two patients out of 529 samples met our GDC NSMP (ER low) filtering criteria (7%), similar to the 5% of PORTEC-III patients classified as NSMP (ER -). Strikingly 83% percent of GDC NSMP (ER low) patients harbored a mutation in the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway, with 48% of GDC NSMP (ER low) patients carrying a mutation in the p110 alpha (PIK3CA) gene. Interestingly, of the patients with PIK3CA mutant tumors, 2/20 patients died in 5 years (10%), compared to 9/22 patients whose tumors were PIK3CA WT (41%) (p = 0.02). Among GDC NSMP (ER low) patients with PIK3CA WT tumors gene expression signatures were enriched for MYC target genes (p = 1.1e-51), DNA replication (p = 4.3e-30), cell cycle (p = 9.32e-20), and cell cycle checkpoints (p = 6.4e-20) pathways. Additionally, strongly in PIK3CA WT tumors are mitochondrial membrane proteins (p = 1.63e-37) and ribosomal proteins (2.9e-24).

CONCLUSION

In this analysis, we show that GDC NSMP (ER low) tumors nearly all harbor a mutation in the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway. Further we demonstrate that the most common gene mutation in the cohort, PIK3CA, is counterintuitively a marker of improved survival. Additionally, we show that within that this subpopulation, PIK3CA WT patients exhibit robustly upregulated gene expression programs dedicated to energy production, cell cycling, and division.

Effect of Dose to the Heart and Cardiac Substructures on Cardiac Toxicity after Breast Cancer Radiation

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Pre-existing cardiovascular disease, chemotherapy, and higher mean heart dose are known risk factors for cardiac toxicity after breast radiation therapy. However, the relationship between cardiac substructure radiation exposure and toxicity is not well understood. We hypothesized that mean heart dose is a surrogate for global cardiac radiation exposure but that more specific dosimetric thresholds for the heart and its substructures could be identified, which could be used to guide radiation planning for breast cancer patients in the future.

MATERIALS/METHODS

In this cohort study, all breast cancer patients who received curative intent breast or chest wall radiotherapy at a single high-volume institution in 2014 and 2017 were included (n = 841). Baseline characteristics included hormone therapy, chemotherapy, menopausal status, diabetes, dyslipidemia, pre-existing cardiac toxicity, and age at diagnosis. Outcomes included any cardiac toxicity, arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, ischemia, valvular, pericardial disease, and death. The heart and substructures, including left ventricle, right ventricle, left atrium, right atrium, aortic valve, pulmonic valve, mitral valve, tricuspid valve, and left anterior descending artery, were delineated on the simulation CT for each patient. Dosimetric variables, including mean dose, max dose, and V1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, and 70 Gy for the heart and substructures (in cc) were extracted. For each dosimetric variable, multivariable logistic regression was performed using baseline covariates in addition to the single dosimetric variable. Patients with missing data values were excluded. Results were combined and False Discovery Rate p-value correction was performed.

RESULTS

Multiple cardiac substructure dosimetric variables were associated with increased risk of mortality on multivariable analysis (p < 0.05). For left atrium and right atrium, V2, 3, 4, and 5 Gy were all significant. For right ventricle, mean dose, V1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 Gy were significant. For mitral valve, mean dose, max dose, V3, 4, and 5 Gy were significant. For tricuspid valve, mean dose was significant. For aortic valve, max dose, mean dose, V4, and V5 Gy were significant. For the whole heart, V1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 Gy were significant.

CONCLUSION

We have identified multiple dosimetric variables for the heart and its substructures which were associated with increased risk of mortality after breast cancer radiation. In fact, for certain structures, there were multiple exposure thresholds which showed increased risk of toxicity, highlighting the complex relationship between substructure dose and outcomes. Further study into these relationships will identify the most critical cardiac substructure constraints that could be used in radiation treatment planning.

Tiered sympathetic control of cardiac function revealed by viral tracing and single cell transcriptome profiling

The cell bodies of postganglionic sympathetic neurons innervating the heart primarily reside in the stellate ganglion (SG), alongside neurons innervating other organs and tissues. Whether cardiac-innervating stellate ganglionic neurons (SGNs) exhibit diversity and distinction from those innervating other tissues is not known. To identify and resolve the transcriptomic profiles of SGNs innervating the heart we leveraged retrograde tracing techniques using adeno-associated virus (AAV) expressing fluorescent proteins (GFP or Td-tomato) with single cell RNA sequencing. We investigated electrophysiologic, morphologic, and physiologic roles for subsets of cardiac-specific neurons and found that three of five adrenergic SGN subtypes innervate the heart. These three subtypes stratify into two subpopulations; high (NA1a) and low (NA1b and NA1c) neuropeptide-Y (NPY) -expressing cells, exhibit distinct morphological, neurochemical, and electrophysiologic characteristics. In physiologic studies in transgenic mouse models modulating NPY signaling, we identified differential control of cardiac responses by these two subpopulations to high and low stress states. These findings provide novel insights into the unique properties of neurons responsible for cardiac sympathetic regulation, with implications for novel strategies to target specific neuronal subtypes for sympathetic blockade in cardiac disease.

Tiered Sympathetic Control of Cardiac Function Revealed by Viral Tracing and Single Cell Transcriptome Profiling

The cell bodies of postganglionic sympathetic neurons innervating the heart primarily reside in the stellate ganglion (SG), alongside neurons innervating other organs and tissues. Whether cardiac-innervating stellate ganglionic neurons (SGNs) exhibit diversity and distinction from those innervating other tissues is not known. To identify and resolve the transcriptomic profiles of SGNs innervating the heart we leveraged retrograde tracing techniques using adeno-associated virus (AAV) expressing fluorescent proteins (GFP or Td-tomato) with single cell RNA sequencing. We investigated electrophysiologic, morphologic, and physiologic roles for subsets of cardiac-specific neurons and found that three of five adrenergic SGN subtypes innervate the heart. These three subtypes stratify into two subpopulations; high (NA1a) and low (NA1b and NA1c) Npy-expressing cells, exhibit distinct morphological, neurochemical, and electrophysiologic characteristics. In physiologic studies in transgenic mouse models modulating NPY signaling, we identified differential control of cardiac responses by these two subpopulations to high and low stress states. These findings provide novel insights into the unique properties of neurons responsible for cardiac sympathetic regulation, with implications for novel strategies to target specific neuronal subtypes for sympathetic blockade in cardiac disease.

Visiones de los actores claves sobre el proceso de acreditación de los Centros de Salud Familiar de la comuna de Concepción 2016

 Introducción. La Ley N° 19.966, publicada en septiembre de 2004, establece la garantía de calidad en las prestaciones de salud. Para ello se implementa un sistema de acreditación de las instituciones que proveen prestaciones en salud, las realicen en forma segura y cumplan con las expectativas de los/las usuarias. El presente estudio analiza las percepciones de actores claves en cargos directivos de coordinación del proceso de acreditación a nivel local para centros de salud familiar de la comuna de Concepción al año 2016. Materiales y Métodos. Estudio descriptivo exploratorio de carácter cualitativo que utilizó entrevistas semiestructuradas de actores claves del proceso de acreditación en los centros de salud familiar de la comuna de Concepción, región del Biobío, Chile, durante el año 2016. Resultados. Las y los actores valoran positivamente la incorporación de la calidad en el sistema pública público de salud como principio organizacional, demuestran conocimientos sobre aspectos conceptuales de calidad y la normativa pública que regula el proceso. Se identifican aspectos a mejorar el liderazgo del proceso de acreditación, sobrecarga de funciones en los encargados de calidad, resistencia al cambio en los funcionarios de los centros de salud, de¬ficiencias de infraestructura y trazabilidad de la biopsia, así como abordar la continuidad del servicio de atención de salud en periodos de paralización por razones gremiales. Discusión. Para los actores relevantes del proceso de acreditación de centros de salud familiar en Concepción dicho proceso es un importante factor para que las prestaciones se realicen con calidad y así mejorar la seguridad en los usuarios y sus expectativas.

Engagement in HIV Care Among New York City Transgender Women of Color: Findings from the Peer-Led, TWEET Intervention, a SPNS Trans Women of Color Initiative

Transgender women (TW) have higher HIV prevalence rates than cisgender (i.e., non-transgender) women. However, utilization of healthcare for transgender people in the U.S. is low. As part of a multisite initiative to facilitate entry and retention in HIV care for TW of color, we compared health outcomes between participants who became Peer Leaders and those who did not. From 2013 to 2016, 163 New York City, mostly Latina, TW enrolled in the Transgender Women Engagement and Entry to Care Project (TWEET). The TWEET intervention included peer-led, group-based educational sessions called Transgender Leader-Teach Back; 39% completed Peer Leadership requirements. Comparing pre-post change by Peer Leader status, Peer Leaders had a significant decrease in viral load and significant increase in CD4 at the last HIV care visit compared to the first. In multivariable logistic regression, predictors associated with Peer Leadership included having at least some college education, being in a relationship, stable housing, receiving legal assistance for political asylum, and having two or more HIV care visits during the intervention. Findings suggest that, for trans women who have completed at least secondary school education, participating in a peer-led intervention can lead to improved HIV care engagement. Understanding which program components lead to becoming a Peer Leader, and how to better engage non-Peer Leaders, are important next steps.

Factors Associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae Nasopharyngeal Carriage and Antimicrobial Susceptibility among Children Under the Age of 5 Years in the Southwestern Colombia

Objective This work aimed to evaluate the factors associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae nasopharyngeal colonization and antimicrobial susceptibility among pediatric outpatients in southwestern Colombia, 2019.

Methods A cross-sectional study was performed using survey-based interviews and the collection of nasopharyngeal-swab specimens for microbiological characterization and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Logistic regression analyses were performed for factors associated with nasopharyngeal carriage.

Results A total of 452 children under the age of 5 years were examined in which 41.8% carried S. pneumoniae. Higher pneumococcal carriage frequencies were observed among participants aged <2 years and in individuals belonging to indigenous communities, which were lacking established pneumococcal-conjugated vaccine-10 immunization schemes. Additionally, children attending childcare institutions were also highly colonized by pneumococci. S. pneumoniae showed 57.7% nonsusceptibility to benzyl-penicillin (meningitis-cut); 45.5% intermediate-sensitivity to benzyl-penicillin (oral-cut) and 21.7% to cefotaxime; and resistance to erythromycin (40.7%), tetracycline (36.0%), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (24.9%), clindamycin (24.3%), and ceftriaxone (27.0%).

Conclusion The 41.8% of participants carrying S. pneumoniae show a scenario with the presence of multidrug and extensively drug-resistant strains, which constitutes important reservoirs of bacterial transmission by children aged <5 years in Colombia, leading to an onset of pneumococcal diseases. Hence, there is an urgent need to expand conjugate pneumococcal immunization in the community and ensure compliance with established immunization schedules.

Single-cell transcriptomic profiling of satellite glial cells in stellate ganglia reveals developmental and functional axial dynamics

Stellate ganglion neurons, important mediators of cardiopulmonary neurotransmission, are surrounded by satellite glial cells (SGCs), which are essential for the function, maintenance, and development of neurons. However, it remains unknown whether SGCs in adult sympathetic ganglia exhibit any functional diversity, and what role this plays in modulating neurotransmission. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing of mouse stellate ganglia (n = 8 animals), focusing on SGCs (n = 11,595 cells). SGCs were identified by high expression of glial-specific transcripts, S100b and Fabp7. Microglia and Schwann cells were identified by expression of C1qa/C1qb/C1qc and Ncmap/Drp2, respectively, and excluded from further analysis. Dimensionality reduction and clustering of SGCs revealed six distinct transcriptomic subtypes, one of which was characterized the expression of pro-inflammatory markers and excluded from further analyses. The transcriptomic profiles and corresponding biochemical pathways of the remaining subtypes were analyzed and compared with published astrocytic transcriptomes. This revealed gradual shifts of developmental and functional pathways across the subtypes, originating from an immature and pluripotent subpopulation into two mature populations of SGCs, characterized by upregulated functional pathways such as cholesterol metabolism. As SGCs aged, these functional pathways were downregulated while genes and pathways associated with cellular stress responses were upregulated. These findings were confirmed and furthered by an unbiased pseudo-time analysis, which revealed two distinct trajectories involving the five subtypes that were studied. These findings demonstrate that SGCs in mouse stellate ganglia exhibit transcriptomic heterogeneity along maturation or differentiation axes. These subpopulations and their unique biochemical properties suggest dynamic physiological adaptations that modulate neuronal function.

Providing Ancillary Care in Clinical Research: A Case of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma during a Malaria Vaccine Trial in Equatorial Guinea

Providing medical care for participants in clinical trials in resource-limited settings can be challenging and costly. Evaluation and treatment of a young man who developed cervical lymphadenopathy during a malaria vaccine trial in Equatorial Guinea required concerted efforts of a multinational, multidisciplinary team. Once a diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was made, the patient was taken to India to receive immunochemotherapy. This case demonstrates how high-quality medical care was provided for a serious illness that occurred during a trial that was conducted in a setting in which positron emission tomography for diagnostic staging, an oncologist for supervision of treatment, and an optimal therapeutic intervention were not available. Clinical researchers should anticipate the occurrence of medical conditions among study subjects, clearly delineate the extent to which health care will be provided, and set aside funds commensurate with those commitments.

Does cardiac transplant protect against broken hearts?

Background

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is a reversible stress-induced myocardial dysfunction with increased sympathetic activity caused by excessive release of catecholamines playing a central role in its pathophysiology. The occurrence of TC in transplanted hearts is rare given the complete denervation done during transplantation. However, it has been demonstrated that 40% of transplant recipients undergo sympathetic re-innervation. There have only been case reports describing TC in post-transplant recipients.

Purpose

To evaluate the incidence, baseline characteristics and outcomes of TC occurring in heart transplant recipients using Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) National (nationwide) Inpatient Sample (NIS) in United States from 2009 to 2014.

Methods

Using NIS data, we identified patients who underwent cardiac transplantation using ICD9 procedure codes 37.5 and 33.6. Among these patients, we identified those admitted to the hospital with diagnosis of TC based on ICD-9-CM code 429.83. We presented categorical data as percentages and continuous data as mean or median as appropriate.

Results

We identified 257 hospitalizations for TC in heart transplant recipient patients. There was an approximately 9-fold increase in admissions from 11 in 2009 to 95 in 2014. Among patients with TC, the mean age was 65.3±1.8 years and majority were female (76.6%). A majority of patients were Caucasians (63%) followed by smaller proportion of African-Americans (13.2%).

In-patient mortality in patients admitted with TC following heart transplant was 11.3% (n=29). During the hospitalization, 4.8% of patients had cardiogenic shock and 2.8% required mechanical circulatory support. The average length of stay for patients with TC was 16.6±3.3 days. The mean cost of hospitalization for these patients when adjusted for inflation were 237248±55709 dollars.

Conclusion

TC can still occur in substantially in heart transplant recipients and should be considered one of the differential diagnosis in transplant patients presenting to the hospital.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

A nationwide 16 year analysis of trends and impact of arrythmias in transplant recipients

Background

Orthotopic heart transplantation is the most effective long-term therapy for end-stage heart disease. Denervation of transplanted heart with the loss of autonomic modulation, vasculopathy, utilization of immunosuppressant drugs, and risk of allograft rejection may result in change in the prevalence of arrhythmias in transplanted hearts.

Purpose

To describe the trends, distribution and the clinical impact of arrhythmias in transplanted hearts in a large nationwide population.

Methods

We queried the National Inpatient Sample with administrative codes. Cardiac transplant patients were identified using procedure ICD-9-CM codes 37.5 and 33.6. Common arrhythmias were extracted using appropriate validated ICD-9-CM codes. Statistical Analysis System (SAS) version 9.4 was used for analysis of data.

Results

There was a total of 30,020 hospitalizations of heart transplant recipients between 1999 and 2014 in the United States and 16342 (54.4%) of these had arrhythmias. The prevalence of total arrhythmias increased from 53.6% (n=1,158) in 1999 to 67.3% (n=1,575) in 2014. The most common arrhythmia was atrial fibrillation (26.83%) followed by ventricular tachycardia (22.86%) and the prevalence of individual arrhythmias is as shown in Figure 1.

Cardiogenic shock was higher in transplanted hearts with arrhythmias when compared with patients without arrhythmias (25.96% vs 18.18%; p&lt;0.001). Transplant recipients with arrhythmias were also associated with an increased use of mechanical circulatory device (18.22% vs 12.67%, p&lt;0.001). The use of implantable cardiac defibrillators and permanent pacemaker was also higher in the arrhythmia group (2.19% vs 0.63% and 40.43% vs 30.24% respectively, p&lt;0.0001). However, there was no significant difference in inpatient mortality between transplant recipients with arrhythmias and without arrhythmias (7.72% vs 6.90%, p=0.225). Further, there was no significant difference in frequency of strokes between the groups (4.98% vs 5.08%; p=0.857).

The total hospital cost when adjusted for inflation was significantly higher in the arrhythmic patients, with an average cost of about $570,415±9,590 vs $439,707±8362 in patients without arrhythmias (p&lt;0.0001). The mean length of hospitalization was 44.2±0.8 days in patients with arrhythmias compared to 33.9±0.8 days in patients without arrhythmias (p&lt;0.0001).

Conclusion

A significant proportion of patients with heart transplant have cardiac arrhythmias and are associated with worse in-hospital outcomes of cardiogenic shock, increased length of stay, and cost of hospitalization. However, they are not associated with worse inpatient mortality.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

A nationwide analysis of 16 year trends in cardiac transplantation for cardiac sarcoidosis

Background

Orthotopic heart transplant (OHT) is indicated for end-stage heart failure due to cardiac sarcoidosis (CS). However, utilization of OHT for CS has been controversial due to concern for involvement of other organs by sarcoidosis affecting long term outcomes.

Purpose

Our objective was to study the trends in OHT in patients with CS in the United States using Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) National (nationwide) Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 1999 to 2014.

Methods

Using NIS data, we identified patients older than 18 years with cardiac sarcoidosis using codes ICD 9-CM codes of 135 and 425.8. Among these patients, we identified those who underwent cardiac transplantation using ICD 9-CM procedure codes 37.5 and 33.6. We presented categorical data as percentages and continuous data as mean or median as appropriate.

Results

A weighted total of 24231 hospitalizations for CS was extracted from 1999 to 2014 of which 248 (1.02%) CS patients underwent OHT. The trends in cardiac transplant for CS is as shown in Figure 1.

The mean age of CS patients undergoing OHT was 51.7±1.1 years and 60.4% (n=150) were males. 114 (45.9%) were Caucasians and 27.8% (n=25) were African-American. 100% of the transplants were performed at medium (n=5) or large sized (n=243) teaching hospitals and 97.9% of cardiac transplants were also done at teaching hospitals. Heart transplants were mostly done in the South (36.3%) followed by Midwest (26.2%), West (25%) and Northeast (12.5%). Private insurance was the major payor source which covered 149 (60.1%) patients followed by Medicare covering 65 (26.2%) patients.

A total of 10 (3.9%) cardiac sarcoidosis patients died during the same hospitalization for cardiac transplantation. Following OHT, 84.2% (n=209) were discharged home and 11.6% (n=29) to short term hospitalization. The mean cost of hospitalization for OHT in CS when adjusted for inflation was 535144±56060 dollars while the average length of stay for heart transplant for CS was 46.2±6.6 days.

Conclusions

Cardiac transplant trends in CS have not changed from 1999 to 2014 despite recent studies showing improved outcomes and are associated with substantial cost of hospitalization and length of stay. Majority of cardiac transplant was done in Caucasians despite cardiac sarcoidosis being more common in African-Americans.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Breast cancer patients have lower in-hospital mortality after acute coronary syndrome, a 5 year nationwide analysis

Background

Breast cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) share common risk factors, and breast cancer therapies are well known to cause cardiotoxicity. Prior studies highlighted the higher burden coronary artery disease and the importance to further assess its consequences on breast cancer patients.

Purpose

We sought to evaluate the revascularization rate and in-hospital short-term outcomes of breast cancer patients following acute coronary syndrome (ACS) compared to the general female population.

Methods

We reviewed the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2010 to 2014 to identify female patients with principal diagnosis of ACS (ST-elevation and non ST-elevation myocardial infarction, and unstable angina). Two subgroups were identified, women with a history of breast cancer and women without, and were propensity matched.

Multivariate regression analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of breast cancer on primary outcome (in-hospital mortality) and secondary outcomes: occurrence of shock, acute kidney injury (AKI), mechanical ventilation (MV), and length of stay (LOS). We also compared the rate of cardiac procedures. Statistical significance of odd ratios (OR) is defined with p-value&lt;0.05 and reported 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

We identified a total of 245,563 female patients with primary diagnosis of ACS, among them 10,625 (4.3%) had a history of breast cancer. The comorbidity of breast cancer was associated with statistically significant lower rates of mortality (OR 0.83, CI 0.74–0.94), shock (OR 0.87, CI 0.77–0.99), AKI (OR 0.90, CI 0.82–0.98), MV (OR 0.81, CI 0.71–0.92) and relative 5.4% decrease in LOS (CI: −7.8%, −3.0%). The cardiac procedural rates were similar for left heart catheterization (OR 0.96, CI 0.90–1.02), for percutaneous coronary intervention (OR 0.95, CI 0.89–1.02) and for CABG (OR 0.88, CI 0.78–1.00) compared to control group.

Conclusion

Breast cancer patients received a comparable catheterization and revascularization procedure rate and exhibited a statistically significant lower morbidity and mortality rates during hospitalization after an ACS event compared to the general female population.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

A nationwide analysis of 16 year trends in cardiac transplantation for acute myocarditis

Background

Orthotopic heart transplant (OHT) is indicated in 1–8% of patients with myocarditis. However, national trends in the utilization of transplantation and outcomes in myocarditis across the United States are not well established.

Purpose

Our objective was to study the trends and baseline characteristic of myocarditis patients undergoing heart transplant in the United States using Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) National (nationwide) Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 1999 to 2014.

Methods

Using NIS data, we identified patients older than 18 years with myocarditis using codes ICD9 codes of 422.0 and 422.9. Among these patients, we identified those who underwent cardiac transplantation using ICD9 procedure codes 37.5 and 33.6. We presented categorical data as percentages and continuous data as mean or median as appropriate.

Results

We identified a total of 62,264 hospitalizations for myocarditis from 1999–2014. 430 (0.69%) myocarditis patients underwent OHT which consisted of 0.82% of all 29990 cardiac transplants identified in the same period. The trends in OHT for myocarditis is as shown in Figure 1.

The mean age was 32.9±2.4 years and 51.1% (n=219) were females. 235 (54.6%) were Caucasians and 60 (13.9%) were Hispanic. Majority of the transplants were performed at medium (16%) and large sized hospitals (80.4%). Cardiac transplants were mainly done at teaching hospitals (98.9%). Further, with regards to the geographical distribution of transplant procedure, most were done in the West (37.2%) followed by South (25.3%), Northeast (21.4%) and Mid-west (16%) of the United States. Private insurance was the major payor source which covered 245 (58%) patients followed by Medicaid covering 112 (26%) patients.

A total of 26 (6%) myocarditis patients died during the same hospitalization for OHT. In terms of discharge following OHT in myocarditis 85.8% (n=369) were discharged home and 8.1% (n=35) to short term hospitalization. The average length of stay for OHT for myocarditis was 64.3±6.3 days. Also, the mean cost of hospitalization for heart transplant in myocarditis when adjusted for inflation was 789,566±93,108 dollars.

In-patient mortality following OHT was not significantly different in large sized hospital compared to small and medium sized hospitals (7.6% vs 5.7%, p=0.54). However, the cost of hospitalization was significantly lesser in small and medium sized hospitals (588,363±154,349 vs 826,864±106,110 dollars, p&lt;0.0001).

Conclusions

Only a small percentage of OHT is done for myocarditis with high proportion done in female when compared to OHT for other etiologies. Further studies need to be done to compare long term outcomes of heart transplant in myocarditis.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Genes and lipids that impact uptake and assimilation of exogenous coenzyme Q in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is an essential player in the respiratory electron transport chain and is the only lipid-soluble antioxidant synthesized endogenously in mammalian and yeast cells. In humans, genetic mutations, pathologies, certain medical treatments, and aging, result in CoQ deficiencies, which are linked to mitochondrial, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases. The only strategy available for these patients is CoQ supplementation. CoQ supplements benefit a small subset of patients, but the poor solubility of CoQ greatly limits treatment efficacy. Consequently, the efficient delivery of CoQ to the mitochondria and restoration of respiratory function remains a major challenge. A better understanding of CoQ uptake and mitochondrial delivery is crucial to make this molecule a more efficient and effective therapeutic tool. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of CoQ uptake and distribution using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism. The addition of exogenous CoQ was tested for the ability to restore growth on non-fermentable medium in several strains that lack CoQ synthesis (coq mutants). Surprisingly, we discovered that the presence of CoQ biosynthetic intermediates impairs assimilation of CoQ into a functional respiratory chain in yeast cells. Moreover, a screen of 40 gene deletions considered to be candidates to prevent exogenous CoQ from rescuing growth of the CoQ-less coq2Δ mutant, identified six novel genes (CDC10, RTS1, RVS161, RVS167, VPS1, and NAT3) as necessary for efficient trafficking of CoQ to mitochondria. The proteins encoded by these genes represent essential steps in the pathways responsible for transport of exogenously supplied CoQ to its functional sites in the cell, and definitively associate CoQ distribution with endocytosis and intracellular vesicular trafficking pathways conserved from yeast to human cells.

Financial Distress and its Associated Burden in Couples Coping with an Incurable Cancer

Although financial toxicity has been linked to poor disease outcomes in cancer patients, the associations between subjective financial distress (FD) and symptom burden and quality of life (QOL) are rarely examined from a patient-partner dyadic perspective. Thus, this cross-sectional study seeks to examine dyadic associations in couples coping with an incurable cancer. Method: Patients undergoing systemic and/or radiotherapy for advanced lung cancer (n = 50) or high grade glioma (n = 50) and their spouses/romantic partners completed measures of psychological distress (BSI-18), symptom severity including FD (ESAS, 0–10 scale), QOL (PROMIS-10), relationship wellbeing (SRI), and avoidance (AAQ-2). Results: Patients were mainly female (60%), and patients and partners were all in a heterosexual relationship (mean length: 30.12 ± 15.1 yrs), mainly non-Hispanic White (80%), married to each other (93%) and well educated with a mean age of 57.9 years (range: 28.5–79.0 years). FD was interrelated in couples (ICC = 0.53, P&lt;0.0001), and mean score did not significantly differ by role (patient = 2.32 vs partner = 2.81). Controlling for medical and demographic factors, based on dyadic level analyses, FD was significantly associated with physical QOL (P = 0.01) so that those with higher FD reported lower QOL. Interestingly, FD was significantly associated with psychological distress (P = 0.001), mental QOL (P&lt;0.001), avoidance (P = 0.01), and relationship wellbeing (P = 0.03) for partners but not for patients so that partners reporting higher FD had worse health and wellbeing. Moreover, in terms of relative burden, FD was the 7th (out of 12) most severe symptom for patients, and the 2nd most severe symptom for partners (after sleep disturbances). Based on concordance analyses, patients significantly underestimated their partners' FD (P = 0.007), which was further associated with increased partner psychological distress (P = 0.04). Conclusion: Although FD is interdependent in couples coping with an incurable cancer, FD appears to be a greater relative burden for partners than patients. In the palliative care setting, reducing FD may be an important target for caregiver interventions seeking to improve their health and wellbeing and reduce the overall cancer burden.