Long-Term Observational Study of the Isolated Ostial Diagonal Stenosis in Patients with Chronic Coronary Syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Isolated ostial diagonal stenoses are very rare lesions in which percutaneous intervention could cause significant vessel compromise, and the long-term results have been reported in a few studies. This study sought the characteristics and long-term follow-up of the patients with isolated osteal diagonal stenosis regarding percutaneous coronary intervention and presence of angina.

METHODS

The study was an observational retrospective study conducted between January 2014 and December 2020. A total of 9769 patients who underwent coronary angiography were analyzed, and 87 patients had isolated diagonal stenosis. The patients were evaluated according to treatment modality and angina severity in long-term pattern.

RESULTS

Median follow-up time was 36 months. A total of 54 (83.1%) patients were followed up with only medical treatment, and 11 (16.9%) patients underwent revascularization in addition to medical treatment. The degree of stenosis of the diagonal artery was significantly higher in the percutaneous coronary intervention group than medical group (P = 0.002) and the patients with wider reference diameter of diagonal artery complaint of more angina (P = 0.007). Class I angina was significantly higher in percutaneous coronary intervention group than medical and the patients with no angina were significantly higher in medical group than percutaneous coronary intervention group.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous coronary intervention was mainly performed for diagonal arteries with a higher degree of stenosis; however, the patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention had angina more than 50% rates. Furthermore, the patients with ongoing angina had a larger diameter of the diagonal artery regardless of the type of treatment.

[Turkish Cardiology Association Consensus Report: COVID-19 Pandemic and Cardiovascular Diseases (May 13, 2020)]

In December 2019, in the city of Wuhan, in the Hubei province of China, treatment-resistant cases of pneumonia emerged and spread rapidly for reasons unknown. A new strain of coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 [SARS-CoV-2]) was identified and caused the first pandemic of the 21st century. The virus was officially detected in our country on March 11, 2020, and the number of cases increased rapidly; the virus was isolated in 670 patients within 10 days. The rapid increase in the number of patients has required our physicians to learn to protect both the public and themselves when treating patients with this highly infectious disease. The group most affected by the outbreak and with the highest mortality rate is elderly patients with known cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it is necessary for cardiology specialists to take an active role in combating the epidemic. The aim of this article is to make a brief assessment of current information regarding the management of cardiovascular patients affected by COVID-19 and to provide practical suggestions to cardiology specialists about problems and questions they have frequently encountered.

[Consensus Report from Turkish Society of Cardiology: COVID-19 and Cardiovascular Diseases. What cardiologists should know. (25th March 2020)]

In December 2019, in the city of Wuhan, in the Hubei province of China, treatment-resistant cases of pneumonia emerged and spread rapidly for reasons unknown. A new strain of coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 [SARS-CoV-2]) was identified and caused the first pandemic of the 21st century. The virus was officially detected in our country on March 11, 2020, and the number of cases increased rapidly; the virus was isolated in 670 patients within 10 days. The rapid increase in the number of patients has required our physicians to learn to protect both the public and themselves when treating patients with this highly infectious disease. The group most affected by the outbreak and with the highest mortality rate is elderly patients with known cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it is necessary for cardiology specialists to take an active role in combating the epidemic. The aim of this article is to make a brief assessment of current information regarding the management of cardiovascular patients affected by COVID-19 and to provide practical suggestions to cardiology specialists about problems and questions they have frequently encountered.

Resuscitation quality of rotating chest compression providers at one-minute vs. two-minute intervals: A mannequin study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this randomized cross-over study was to compare one-minute and two-minute continuous chest compressions in terms of chest compression only CPR quality metrics on a mannequin model in the ED.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-six emergency medicine residents participated in this study. In the 1-minute group, there was no statistically significant difference in the mean compression rate (p=0.83), mean compression depth (p=0.61), good compressions (p=0.31), the percentage of complete release (p=0.07), adequate compression depth (p=0.11) or the percentage of good rate (p=51) over the four-minute time period. Only flow time was statistically significant among the 1-minute intervals (p<0.001). In the 2-minute group, the mean compression depth (p=0.19), good compression (p=0.92), the percentage of complete release (p=0.28), adequate compression depth (p=0.96), and the percentage of good rate (p=0.09) were not statistically significant over time. In this group, the number of compressions (248±31 vs 253±33, p=0.01) and mean compression rates (123±15 vs 126±17, p=0.01) and flow time (p=0.001) were statistically significant along the two-minute intervals. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean number of chest compressions per minute, mean chest compression depth, the percentage of good compressions, complete release, adequate chest compression depth and percentage of good compression between the 1-minute and 2-minute groups.

CONCLUSION

There was no statistically significant difference in the quality metrics of chest compressions between 1- and 2-minute chest compression only groups.

High implantation technique during CoreValve replacement in a high-risk aortic stenosis patient with a sigmoid left ventricular hypertrophy and a large aortic annulus

The appropriate size, accurate alignment and correct positioning of transcatheter aortic valves (TAVIs) at the point of deployment are emphasized as key factors in placement and fixation of the devices. Presence of a sigmoid left ventricular septum in the patient is one of the important limitations of TAVIs, especially with the Edwards-Sapien Valve (ESV), due to the risk of aortic embolization of the prosthesis. In cases of a pronounced sigmoid septum, transapical implantation of the ESV or the usage of a Medtronic CoreValve (MCV) is generally recommended. However, severe left ventricular hypertrophy and sigmoid septum are also risk factors for the development of conduction disturbances with the usage of MCV. The depth of implantation of MCV within the left ventricular outflow tract and larger or significantly oversized prostheses have also been reported as important predictors of permanent pacemaker (PPM) requirement after MCV implantation. Thus, recent reports indicate that there may be less need for a PPM if a high implantation technique is used to place the MCV at a short implantation depth. In this report, we present the high implantation technique under rapid pacing during transcatheter aortic MCV implantation in a surgically high-risk aortic stenosis patient with sigmoid left ventricular hypertrophy and a large aortic annulus.

[Percutaneous transcatheter atrial septal defect closure with Amplatzer septal occluder device using three different techniques in three adult patients with complex ostium secundum type atrial defects]

Complex ostium secundum type atrial septal defect (ASD) is a definition used for large (stretched diameter over 26 mm with deficient rim) or multiple ASDs or multi-fenestrated septum or ASDs with redundant and aneurysmal septal rims. Compared to simple defects, transcatheter ASD closure with Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO) is relatively challenging in these cases, and different techniques have been defined to increase procedure success. We report three adult patients with complex ostium secundum type ASDs that were closed with ASO device using three different techniques. The first case was a 36-year-old female patient with complaints of dyspnea, palpitation and fatigue. A complex ostium secundum type ASD was diagnosed, and the defect was closed with a 36 mm ASO device using a left upper pulmonary vein technique. The second case was a 47-year-old female patient with complaints of dyspnea and palpitation. A large and complex ASD was detected, and the defect was closed with a 28 mm device using a left atrial roof technique supported by non-inflated balloon. The third case was a 40-year-old female patient who presented with complaints of dyspnea and palpitation. Complex ASD was diagnosed, and the defect was closed with a 32 mm device using a partially inflated balloon technique. In large and complex ASDs, the classical implantation technique of an ASO device may fail at any time. The knowledge and application of different techniques that orient the left atrial disc parallel to the septum may increase the procedure success and decrease complications.

Ischemic stroke history predicts increased cardiovascular mortality in chronic heart failure

OBJECTIVE

To investigate comorbidities that predict cardiac mortality and re-hospitalization in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients.

METHODS

Five hundred eighty patients (mean age 63 ± 13 years, 373 male, 207 female, mean ejection fraction (EF) 26 ± 9%) with mild, moderate or severe CHF [NYHA class II-IV] were included in this prospective observational study. We evaluated all comorbidities such as history of ischemic stroke, coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, chronic obstructive lung disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease in CHF patients who were hospitalized due to decompensated heart failure in Kocaeli University, Faculty of Medicine's Hospital between January 2003 and July 2009. Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were used to establish predictors of unfavorable outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 580 patients 207 (36%) patients died due to cardiovascular reasons. In multivariable Cox regression analysis age (HR-1.06, 95% CI 1.04-1.08, p<0.001), NYHA functional class (HR-3.20 95% CI, 1.90-5.41, p<0.001), history of ischemic stroke (HR-2.48, 95% CI 1.14-5.37, p=0.022), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (HR-1.09, 95% CI, 1.04-1.15, p=0.001), brain natriuretic peptide (HR-1.00, 95% CI 1.00-1.00, p=0.01) and hemoglobin (HR-0.90, 95% CI 0.81-0.99, p=0.038) were independent predictors of cardiac death in the present study. History of ischemic stroke was demonstrated as an important comorbidity that predicts cardiovascular mortality beyond other co-morbidities in CHF patients. NYHA functional class (HR-2.85, 95% CI 1.80-4.65, p<0.001), left ventricular EF [(HR-0.98, 95% CI 0.95-0.99, p=0.039) and ischemic stroke history (HR-2.41, 95% CI 1.15-5.05, p=0.019) were independent predictors for recurrence hospitalization. The stroke history was only predictor showing recurrent hospitalization at least in one year among the other comorbid conditions, which were evaluated during study.

CONCLUSION

History of ischemic stroke may be an important risk factor for increased cardiac mortality and recurrence hospitalization in CHF patients.