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There is limited data identifying patients at risk for significant mitral regurgitation (MR) after transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR). We hypothesized that software modeling based on computed tomography angiography (CTA) can predict the risk of moderate or severe MR after TMVR. 58 consecutive patients underwent TMVR at two institutions, including 31 valve-in-valve, 16 valve-in-ring, and 11 valve-in-mitral annular calcification. 12 (20%) patients developed moderate or severe MR due to paravalvular leak (PVL). The software model correctly predicted 8 (67%) patients with significant PVL, resulting in sensitivity of 67%, specificity 96%, positive predictive value 89%, and negative predictive value 86%. There was excellent agreement between CTA readers using software modeling to predict PVL (kappa 0.92; p < 0.01). On univariate analysis, CTA predictors of moderate or severe PVL included presence of a gap between the virtual valve and mitral annulus on the software model (OR 48; p < 0.01), mitral annular area (OR 1.02; p 0.01), and % valve oversizing (OR 0.9; p 0.01). On multivariate analysis, only presence of a gap on the software model remained significant (OR 36.8; p < 0.01). Software modeling using pre-procedural CTA is a straightforward method for predicting the risk of moderate and severe MR due to PVL after TMVR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The aim of this study was to compare outcomes and coronary angiographic findings in post–cardiac arrest patients with and without ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Background The 2013 STEMI guidelines recommend performing immediate angiography in resuscitated patients whose initial electrocardiogram shows STEMI. The optimal approach for those without STEMI post–cardiac arrest is less clear. Methods A retrospective evaluation of a post–cardiac arrest registry was performed. Results The database consisted of 746 comatose post–cardiac arrest patients including 198 with STEMI (26.5%) and 548 without STEMI (73.5%). Overall survival was greater in those with STEMI compared with those without (55.1% vs. 41.3%; p = 0.001), whereas in all patients who underwent immediate coronary angiography, survival was similar between those with and without STEMI (54.7% vs. 57.9%; p = 0.60). A culprit vessel was more frequently identified in those with STEMI, but also in one-third of patients without STEMI (80.2% vs. 33.2%; p = 0.001). The majority of culprit vessels were occluded (STEMI, 92.7%; no STEMI, 69.2%; p < 0.0001). An occluded culprit vessel was found in 74.3% of STEMI patients and in 22.9% of no STEMI patients. Among cardiac arrest survivors discharged from the hospital who had presented without STEMI, coronary angiography was associated with better functional outcome (93.3% vs. 78.7%; p < 0.003). Conclusions Early coronary angiography is associated with improved functional outcome among resuscitated patients with and without STEMI. Resuscitated patients with a presumed cardiac etiology appear to benefit from immediate coronary angiography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Axillobifemoral bypass is a well-established surgical procedure performed in conditions that preclude direct arterial reconstruction due to aortic sepsis, aortoenteric fistula, or other hostile abdominal pathology or prohibitive surgical risk. The choice of prosthetic graft used is either knitted Dacron® or polytetrafluoroethylene, with equally good results. Although externally supported grafts reportedly yielded improvement in primary patency compared to historical controls, no consensus exists as to which demonstrates superiority over the other despite several retrospective studies. Complications are usually limited to the perioperative period, although late anastomotic disruption, graft thrombosis, axillary thromboembolism, pseudoaneurysm formation due to seat belt trauma, and hemorrhage or graft rupture have all been described. In addition to the above complications responsible for graft failure, perigraft infection, intimal hyperplasia, poor distal runoff, anastomotic fibrosis, and comorbid conditions may contribute to graft failure. We describe an unusual late complication of an axillobifemoral bypass graft whereby an organized thrombus within the layers of the bypass graft led to luminal compromise and, hence, attenuation of flow and resultant “failing graft.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We describe a case of instent restenosis in a femoral-distal saphenous vein bypass graft successfully treated with brachytherapy. A 45-year-old insulin-requiring diabetic woman underwent an in-situ femoral-anterior tibial bypass graft for a non-healing ischemic ulcer. Despite a technically successful percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and endovascular stenting of a retained valve within the threatened graft, the wound failed to heal. At the 1-month follow-up, instent restenosis was documented and successful cutting balloon angioplasty, complemented by adjunctive beta-irradiation was successfully performed. Clinical and hemodynamic success was achieved, with prompt ulcer healing and intermediate–term graft patency maintained on surveillance duplex ultrasound follow-up. We review the literature on radiation therapy in the management of peripheral arterial disease and discuss therapeutic options in the management of restenosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Examines the practice-based randomized controlled-comparison clinical trial of chiropractic adjustments and brief massage treatment in subjects with essential hypertension. Signs of subluxation; Assessment of cooperation of subjects; Analysis of temporal stability of blood pressures.

Hemodynamic support with the Impella device is an important tool during high risk percutaneous coronary intervention. This device is usually inserted via the femoral artery. However, some patients have severe peripheral artery disease precluding the use of the femoral artery for this purpose. The axillary artery is a viable alternative in these cases. We reviewed the two access techniques for inserting the Impella via the axillary artery and also described 6 cases of successful implantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is highly prevalent but is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Lower extremity PAD can often be life style limiting. Revascularization in carefully selected lower extremity PAD patients improves symptoms and functional status. Surgical revascularization used to be the only available strategy, but in the recent years, endovascular strategies have gained popularity due to faster recovery times with low morbidity and mortality rates. Endovascular procedures have increased significantly in the United States in the past few years. That being said, higher restenosis rates and low long-term patency rates have been the limiting factors for this strategy. Drug eluting stents have been introduced to help with lowering restenosis, however lower extremity PAD involves long segment where the outcomes of stents are suboptimal. Also, the disease often crosses joint line that makes it less ideal for the stents. Drug-coated balloons (DCB) have been introduced to improve patency rates following endovascular intervention for lower extremity PAD. They have gained popularity among endovascular specialists due to its ease of use and the concept of "leave nothing behind". This is a review of scientific evidence supporting DCB use in PAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anomalous right coronary arteries (ARCA) are extremely rare in general population. Although mostly asymptomatic and recognized incidentally on cardiac catheterizations, they can be catastrophic and can cause sudden cardiac death. Sudden cardiac deaths are more common when the anomalous vessel runs an inter-arterial course between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. Asymptomatic patients with malignant course of anomalous coronaries can pose clinical dilemmas. Based on prior experience, management of asymptomatic ARCA with malignant course should be subjected to a risk-benefit analysis. This case series begins with a brief description of four separate cases of ARCA. They had their origin in the left coronary sinus or off left anterior descending artery (LAD). Three of them had anterior course between aorta and pulmonary trunk, confirmed by coronary CT angiography (CTA). Whereas two of our patients presented with chronic symptoms, two presented as acute cases with electrocardiographically proven STEMI. These cases were managed differently; by conservative, surgical or interventional approaches. All four cases had good final outcomes. This goes to show how different treatment options can be employed in management of complications associated with anomalous coronary arteries. It is also interesting to note that the radial access provides better guide support that is needed to tackle complex lesions. Many operators have been using radial approach for anomalous coronary interventions. We have successfully employed radial technique after failed trans-femoral attempts and also in STEMI situations. Based on our experience, right radial approach appears to be safer and quicker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared to occlusions of other major coronary arteries, patients presenting with acute left circumflex (LCx) occlusion usually have ST-segment elevation on the electrocardiogram <50% of the time, potentially delaying treatment and resulting in worse outcomes. In contemporary practice, little is known about the clinical outcomes of patients with LCx territory occlusion without ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We identified patients with myocardial infarction from April 2004 to June 2009 in the CathPCI Registry treated with percutaneous coronary intervention for culprit LCx territory occlusion, excluding those with previous coronary artery bypass grafting. Logistic generalized estimating equation modeling was used to compare the outcomes, including in-hospital mortality between patients with STEMI and non-STEMI (NSTEMI) adjusting for differences in the baseline characteristics. Of the 27,711 patients with myocardial infarction and acute LCx territory occlusion, 18,548 (67%) presented with STEMI and 9,163 (33%) with NSTEMI. With the exception of a greater proportion of cardiac risk factors and cardiac history in the NSTEMI group, the demographic and baseline characteristics were clinically similar between the 2 groups, despite the statistical significance resulting from the large population. The patients with STEMI were more likely to have a proximal LCx culprit lesion (63% vs 27%, p <0.0001) and had greater risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality (odds ratio 1.36, 95% confidence interval 1.12 to 1.65, p = 0.002) compared to patients with NSTEMI. In conclusion, acute LCx territory occlusion often presents as NSTEMI, but patients with NSTEMI and occlusion have a lower mortality risk than those with STEMI, possibly because of factors such as the amount of myocardium involved, the lesion location along the vessel, and/or a dual blood supply. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]