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To evaluate transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) operator procedural volumes, and describe temporal and geographic trends.TAVR is the standard of care for most patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. Despite an association between operator procedural volume and outcomes, nationwide TAVR operator volumes have been incompletely described.We queried the National Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Database for transfemoral TAVRs from 2014 to 2018. Annual operator volume, state and regional volumes, and longitudinal trends were extracted and analyzed using descriptive statistics.In 2018, the mean annual operator volume was 23.6 TAVRs. The highest 1% of operators by volume performed 7.6% of total TAVR procedures in the United States, while 35.7% of operators performed 10 or fewer TAVRs per year. From 2014 to 2018, there was a 53.9% annualized increase in TAVRs, and the mean annual volume per operator grew from 12.5 to 23.6. There was more than five-fold variability in the density of operators (range 0.35-1.79 operators per 100,000 population) and mean operator volume by state (range 14.2-52.4 TAVRs per operator).In this nationally representative study of operators performing transfemoral TAVRs among Medicare patients, we found the mean annual volume of TAVR in 2018 to be 23.6 and has increased since 2014. There was considerable variability in operator density and procedural volumes, with a significant proportion of operators performing 10 or fewer TAVRs per year. Ambiguity remains in regard to the optimal balance of procedural requirements to sustain high efficacy outcomes and ensure critical access to TAVR therapies.

There is a paucity of data on cardiogenic shock (CS) incidence and outcomes among patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD).Women admitted to the hospital for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with and without SCAD were identified from the United States National Readmission Database from October 1, 2015 to December 31, 2018. We calculated the incidence of CS among women with AMI with and without SCAD and odds for developing CS after adjusting for baseline characteristics. In addition, we report the utilization of percutaneous coronary intervention, mechanical circulatory support, severe disability surrogates, and 30-day readmission rates.A total of 664,292 patients admitted for AMI were eligible for analysis, including 6643 patients with SCAD and 657,649 without SCAD. Patients with SCAD were younger (57 years [interquartile range, IQR 48-68] vs. 71 years [IQR 60-81], p 0.01) and had fewer comorbidities yet had a higher incidence of CS as compared to patients without SCAD (9% vs. 5%, p 0.01) and remained at elevated risk after adjusting for baseline comorbidities (adjusted odds ratio 1.5 [95% confidence interval, CI 1.2-1.7]). Among patients who developed CS, those with SCAD had lower in-hospital mortality than non-SCAD (31% vs. 39%, p 0.01), and were more likely to receive mechanical circulatory support.In a nationally representative sample of women admitted for AMI, we found that patients with SCAD had a higher risk of developing CS and required more frequent use of mechanical circulatory support but were more likely to survive to discharge than women suffering AMI from causes other than SCAD.

Background: A retrospective analysis of severe bicuspid aortic stenosis was performed to evaluate hemodynamic profiles and incidence of adverse conduction effects in Sievers Type 0 compared to Siev...

Among patients who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the use of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is associated with increased risk of bleeding, but decreased stent thrombosis and myocardial infarction unrelated to the stent. As PCI techniques and devices have progressed, the optimal duration of DAPT has come into question. We identified all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of patients undergoing PCI, who received one or more drug eluting stents (DES) for stable coronary artery disease (CAD) or acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and randomized to short (1-3 months) versus standard duration DAPT. The prespecified primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Important secondary outcomes were net adverse clinical events (NACE) defined as MACE and major bleeding; any bleeding; major bleeding; all-cause death; cardiovascular death. We calculated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using random-effects model. Analysis included 7 RCTs, comprising 35,857 patients and 53,321 patient-years of follow-up. The mean (SD) age of patients was 64.4 (10.6) years, 49.6% of patients presented with ACS, and 25.5% were female. There was no difference between short and standard-length DAPT in regards to MACE (HR = 0.93; 95% CI 0.84-1.03; p = 0.19), NACE (HR = 0.93; 95% CI 0.85-1.02; p = 0.12), all-cause death (HR = 0.92; 95% CI 0.80-1.05; p = 0.21), or cardiovascular death (HR = 0.85; 95% CI 0.64-1.13; p = 0.26). However, short-term DAPT was associated with significantly reduced major bleeding events (HR = 0.67; 95% CI 0.47-0.95; p = 0.03) and any bleeding event (HR = 0.63; 95% CI 0.44-0.90; p = 0.01) compared with standard-length DAPT. Among patients undergoing PCI for CAD, the use of short-term DAPT (1-3 months) followed by single antiplatelet therapy was associated with a lower incidence of clinically relevant bleeding events, but with similar risk of MACE, all-cause death, and cardiovascular death compared with standard duration DAPT.

Objectives We sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bivalirudin versus heparin in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing transradial artery coronary intervention (TRI). Background Bivalirudin and radial artery access are independently associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes. However, data supporting a strategy of combining both to achieve additive improvements in cardiovascular outcomes provide conflicting results. Methods A systematic search was performed to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of bivalirudin, in which vascular access sites were reported. The primary outcome was net adverse clinical events (NACE) at 30 days. Secondary outcomes were long-term NACE, short-, and long-term major adverse cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, unplanned revascularization, stent thrombosis, and major bleeding. Results We identified 10 RCTs, including 16,328 patients who underwent TRI (mean age 64.6 ± 15.7 years, 72.5% male). Bivalirudin use was associated with decreased 30-day NACE compared with heparin (6.3 vs. 7.4%; risk ratio [RR] = 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.76-0.99; p = .04; number needed to treat = 91). No significant interactions were observed based on clinical presentation, administration of P2Y12 inhibitors, or glycoprotein IIb/IIIa-receptor inhibitors (GPI) use. There were no significant differences between groups in any prespecified secondary outcomes. There was, however, a significant reduction of major bleeding in the bivalirudin group compared with heparin when used in combination with routine GPI (RR = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.19-0.90; p = .03). Conclusions Among patients undergoing TRI, use of bivalirudin was associated with significantly reduced 30-day NACE compared with heparin. There was no significant difference in long term NACE, ischemic, or bleeding events compared with heparin.

Background Mitral regurgitation is the most common form of valvular heart disease worldwide, however, there is an incomplete understanding of predictors of mortality in this population. This study sought to identify risk factors of mortality in a real-world population with mitral regurgitation. Methods All patients with moderate or severe mitral regurgitation were identified at a single center from 1/1/16 to 8/31/17. Multivariate regression was performed to evaluate variables independently associated with all-cause mortality. Results A total of 490 patients with moderate (76.3%) or severe (23.7%) mitral regurgitation due to primary (20.8%) or secondary (79.2%) etiology were identified. The mean age was 66.7 years, 50% were male. At a median follow-up of 3.1 years, the incidence of all-cause mortality was 30.1%, heart failure hospitalization 23.1%, and mitral valve intervention 11.6%. Of 117 variables, multivariate analysis demonstrated 5 that were independently predictive of mortality: baseline creatinine (HR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0-1.3, p=.02), right atrial pressure by echocardiogram (HR 1.3, 95% CI 1.07-1.55, p=.008), hemoglobin (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.52-0.83, p=.001), hospitalization for heart failure (HR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.4, p=.015), and mitral valve intervention (HR 0.40, 95% CI 0.16-0.83, p=.049). Conclusion In this retrospective, pragmatic analysis of patients with moderate or severe mitral regurgitation, admission for heart failure exacerbation, elevated right atrial pressure, renal dysfunction, anemia, and lack of mitral valve intervention were independently associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality. Whether these risk factors may better identify select patients who may benefit from more intensive monitoring or earlier intervention should be considered in future studies.

Dual-antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor is the cornerstone therapy for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Despite its widespread use, clopidogrel is hindered by inadequate response in up to 30% of white

BACKGROUND Among patients with heart failure and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction despite guideline directed medical therapy, cardiac resynchronization (CRT) is an effective technology to reverse LV remodeling. Given that a large portion of patients are non-responders, alternatives to traditional LV-lead placement have been explored. A promising alternative is image targeted placement of an LV-lead to latest mechanically activated segment without scar. METHODS Electronic database search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the imaging-guided LV-lead placement on clinical, echocardiographic, and functional outcomes. The primary outcome was a composite of mortality and heart failure hospitalization. The secondary outcomes included CRT responders, New York Heart Association (NYHA), 6-minute walk test, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ), and ejection fraction (EF) changes. RESULTS Analysis included 4 RCTs of 691 patients with an average follow-up of 2 years (age 69.5 ± 10.3 years, 76% males, 54% ischemic cardiomyopathy, 81% with NYHA classes III/IV, and EF of 24.4% ± 8). The most common site for LV-lead paced segment was the anterolateral segment (45%) and at mid-LV (49%). Compared with the control, imaging-guided LV-lead placement was associated with a significant reduction of the primary outcome (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.60; 95% CI = 0.40-0.88; p = .01), higher CRT responders (odd ratio [OR] = 2.10; p

Individuals with Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) are at high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence, predictors, and outcomes of admissions for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in this high-risk group.Utilizing the National Readmission Databases, we identified individuals with or without FH admitted to participating hospitals for ACS. The primary outcome was admission for recurrent ACS at 11 month follow-up.There were a total of 1,697,513 ACS admissions from 10/2016 to 12/2017 (non-FH=1,696,979 and FH=534). Individuals with FH admitted for ACS were younger (median age 57 vs 69 y), had fewer comorbidities (hypertension 74.7% vs 79.6%; diabetes mellitus 30.5% vs 39.0%;p0.01), were more likely to present with ST-elevation-myocardial infarction (32.8% vs 22.6%;p0.01) and more likely to undergo multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention (11.4% vs 7.6%;p0.01) than patients without FH. After propensity-score matching, FH patients more commonly experienced in-hospital VT arrest (11.8% vs 8.0%;p0.01) and required more mechanical circulatory support (8.6% vs 3.3%; p0.01). The 30-day readmission in those with FH was more frequently for cardiovascular disease (81.5% vs 46.5%; =p0.01). At 11-month follow-up, FH patients were more likely to be readmitted with recurrent ACS compared to those without FH (hazard ratio=2.34; 95% confidence interval=1.30-4.23; p0.01).Individuals with FH admitted for ACS are younger, have fewer comorbidities, and more frequently present with STEMIs compared to those without FH. FH patients were more likely to suffer in-hospital cardiac complications and have a higher incidence of recurrent ACS.

Introduction: Individuals with Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) are at high risk for ASCVD events. However, little is known about the incidence, predictors, and outcomes of admissions for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in this population. Objectives: To describe the in-hospital outcomes, readmission rates, and predictors of recurrent ACS in the FH population. Methods: Utilizing the National Readmission Databases from 10/2016 to 12/2017, we identified individuals with FH (ICD-10 E78.01) admitted with ACS. The primary outcome was in-hospital complications, which was compared using propensity-score matching (PSM 1:3). Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the predictors of 30-day readmissions. Results: There were a total of 1,697,513 ACS admissions during the study period (non-FH=1,969,979 and FH=534). Individuals admitted for ACS with FH were younger (median age 57 vs 69), had fewer comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and heart failure), were more likely to present with STEMI (32.8% vs 22.6%; p Conclusions: Individuals with FH admitted with ACS are younger, have fewer comorbidities, and more frequently present with STEMIs compared to those without FH. FH patients were more likely to suffer in-hospital cardiac complications. These results highlight the high-risk status of ACS and post-ACS care in FH patients.

A 63-year-old male with recent diagnosis of idiopathic pericarditis presented to the hospital with atrial fibrillation and rapid ventricular rates. He reported one week of palpitations and subacute lower extremity weakness. On exam he was hemodynamically stable with evidence of intra- and extravascular fluid overload. Lab analysis showed elevated creatinine, inflammatory markers, and serum protein gap. Chest radiograph showed bilateral pleural effusions and a focal sclerotic thoracic vertebra. TTE revealed mildly reduced biventricular function, elevated RVSP, and moderate pericardial effusion. The presence of pericardial and pleural effusions with elevated inflammatory markers suggest serositis, and a differential of malignant, autoimmune, and infectious etiologies were considered. Hepatosplenomegaly was noted on CT imaging. Blood, pleural, and pericardial cultures revealed no growth and autoimmune serologies were negative. Given these findings- the differential was narrowed to lymphoma, myeloma with or without amyloidosis, and paraneoplastic syndromes. Electrophoresis revealed presence of an M protein, fat pad biopsy was negative for amyloid fibrils. Bone marrow biopsy revealed an abnormal plasma cell population and biopsy of sclerotic vertebra showed no malignancy. Whole body FDG PET showed no focal uptake in the heart nor elsewhere. VEGF levels were significantly elevated. On the basis of the plasma cell dyscrasia, polyneuropathy, sclerotic bone lesion, elevated VEGF level, hepatosplenomegaly, and pericardial effusion the patient was diagnosed with POEMS syndrome- an extremely rare paraneoplastic syndrome with multisystemic end-organ effects. Cardiac manifestations are infrequent, but include pericardial effusion, myocardial edema and dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension, and volume overload. No specific cardiac therapy exists, but involvement may regress with chemotherapy for treatment of the underlying malignancy. This case demonstrates the importance of recognizing cardiac manifestations as the initial or cardinal presentation of underlying systemic disease, where accurate diagnosis may rely on identification of subtle non-cardiac symptoms, laboratory, and imaging findings as demonstrated here.

BACKGROUND Patients with post-infarct cardiomyopathy and ventricular arrhythmias (VT) necessitating implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) are at risk of recurrent shocks with increased morbidity. METHODS A comprehensive search of electronic databases for all randomized clinical trials that evaluated the role of catheter ablation as a preventive strategy at the time of secondary prevention ICD implantation was performed. We calculated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using random-effects model. RESULTS Four trials were identified with a total of 505 patients (average age 66.4 ± 9.0 years; 87.7% were male). Preventive ablation was associated with a significant reduction in appropriate device therapies (shocks and/or anti-tachycardia therapy) (HR = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.46-0.82; P

Background Hypoattenuating leaflet thickening (HALT), the radiographic manifestation of transcatheter heart valve thrombosis, is commonly identified following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and associated with increased risk of stroke and structural valve deterioration. While anticoagulation effectively resolves HALT, routine use remains controversial. We aimed to identify hemodynamic, anatomic, and comorbid predictors of HALT. Methods We evaluated consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVR with Edwards SAPIEN 3 bioprosthesis at a single center between June 1, 2018 and October 30, 2019. Patients on anticoagulation and those receiving valve-in-valve were excluded. Clinically driven computed tomography (CT) imaging was performed to assess for HALT at the discretion of the treating valve team. Results A total of 78 patients with a mean age of 78 ± 10 years and STS risk score 5.5 ± 3.3% were analyzed. HALT was identified in 11 (14.1%) patients. Compared to controls, those with HALT had smaller annular areas, 435 ± 57 mm2 vs. 489 ± 79 mm2 (p = .032), but received comparable size valves. In multivariate regression, valve oversizing by more than 20% was associated with increased risk of HALT, OR 23.5, 95% CI 2.5-223, (p = .006). After initiation of anticoagulation, patients with HALT had similar rates of stroke, major bleeding, and all-cause mortality out to an average of 243 days. Conclusions In this pragmatic study of patients undergoing TAVR with SAPIEN 3 valves, we report the novel finding that oversizing by more than 20% was independently associated with increased risk of HALT. These findings warrant confirmation in larger and prospective trials.

We aimed to conduct this study with the goal of further clarifying the role of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in patients with preexisting heart failure with reduced ejection fraction with or without diabetes and to leverage increased sample size and power to evaluate clinically important secondary safety and efficacy outcomes.This meta-analysis was completed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization. Secondary outcomes included the individual components of the primary outcome; major adverse cardiovascular events (defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke), any death, myocardial infarction, or stroke, along with adverse events such as volume depletion, acute kidney injury, adverse events leading to drug discontinuation, amputation, and severe hypoglycemia. Other outcomes included the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) total symptom score and changes in N-terminal pro-hormone BNP (NT-proBNP). Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for dichotomous variables and weighted difference (MD) and 95% CI for continuous variables.Compared with placebo, SGLT2i use was associated with a significant reduction of cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization (HR = 0.74; 95% CI = 0.66-0.82; P0.01), heart failure hospitalization (HR = 0.69; 95% CI = 0.57-0.84; P0.01), cardiovascular death (HR = 0.79; 95% CI = 0.68-0.92; P0.01), and any death (HR = 0.80; 95% CI = 0.70-0.92; P0.01).SGLT2i was associated with a decreased risk of clinically relevant cardiovascular death, heart failure hospitalization, and heart failure symptoms with similar rates of adverse events.

IMPORTANCE: QT-prolonging medications (QTPMs) are a reported risk factor for sudden cardiac death (SCD) when defined by consensus criteria that presume an arrhythmic cause. The effect of QTPM on autopsy-defined sudden arrhythmic death (SAD) is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between QTPM and autopsy-defined SAD vs nonarrhythmic cause of sudden death. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This prospective countywide case-control study included World Health Organization–defined (presumed) SCD cases who underwent autopsy as part of the San Francisco Postmortem Systematic Investigation of Sudden Cardiac Death Study (POST SCD) to determine arrhythmic or nonarrhythmic cause, and control deaths due to trauma (hereinafter referred to as trauma controls) in San Francisco County, California, from February 1, 2011, to March 1, 2014. Multivariate regression was used to evaluate the association of QTPM with the risk of presumed SCD, autopsy-defined SAD, and non-SAD compared with trauma controls. Medication exposure, determined by prescription lists and postmortem toxicologic findings, was used to calculate a summative QTPM exposure score (range, 0-20). Data were analyzed from September 1, 2018, to June 15, 2019. EXPOSURE: QT-prolonging medication exposure, as measured by QTPM score (1 indicated low; 2-4, moderate; and >4, high). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Death due to trauma, presumed SCD, and autopsy-defined non-SAD and SAD with no postmortem findings of extracardiac cause. RESULTS: A total of 629 patients (mean [SD] age, 61.4 [15.7] years; 439 men [69.8%]) were included, 525 with presumed SCDs and 104 traumatic death controls. Individuals with presumed SCDs had higher exposure and were more likely to be taking any QTPM (291 [55.4%] vs 28 [26.9%]; P

INTRODUCTION Although systolic and diastolic dysfunction must coexist, they are most often considered in isolation. Therefore, a simple and reproducible quantitative measurement that integrates systolic and diastolic function is desirable. We hypothesize that the absolute sum of lateral mitral annular systolic and early diastolic peak velocities is predictive of overall cardiac function. METHODS In this study, lateral mitral annular systolic (S') and early diastolic (E') peak velocities were measured in healthy subjects and compared against subjects with progressive degrees of systolic and diastolic dysfunction. RESULTS A total of 149 subjects (56% male, mean age 48 years) were enrolled and stratified according to global left ventricular function: 76 normal, 40 mild-moderate dysfunction, and 33 moderate-severe dysfunction. Adjusting for baseline differences including age, univariate analysis showed mean S' + E' values were significantly different between subjects with normal, mild-moderate, and moderate-severe global left ventricular function (27, 17, 13 cm/s; P

Background Cryptogenic stroke and embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) are a frequently encountered categories of ischemic stroke with an uncertain cause. Methods We analyzed all randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that evaluated antithrombotic therapy and patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure in cryptogenic stroke and/or ESUS. We calculated aggregate hazard ratios (HRs) using direct and network meta-analysis. The primary outcome was recurrent ischemic stroke. Results Ten RCTs with a total of 16,876 patients, randomizing 32,143 patient-years of follow-up (mean age 61.2 ± 13.5 with 39.2% female) were identified. Anticoagulation therapy was associated with significantly reduced recurrent ischemic stroke compared with antiplatelet therapy (HR = 0.66; [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.47–0.94]). Meta-regression analysis showed significantly reduced recurrent stroke with longer duration of therapy, and significantly increased events with advanced age. Significant interactions were observed based on the presence of PFO, stroke type, and anticoagulant used. There were no significant differences with regard to the composite ischemic outcome, transient ischemic attack, any death, major bleeding, or intracranial bleeding. In the network meta-analysis, compared to antiplatelet therapy, warfarin (HR = 0.31; [95% credible interval (CrI) = 0.12–0.68]) and PFO closure (HR = 0.14; 95% CrI = 0.05–0.31]) were associated with significantly reduced recurrent ischemic stroke. In rank order, PFO closure was associated with the best outcome, followed by warfarin. Conclusions Among patients with cryptogenic stroke, anticoagulation therapy, as compared with antiplatelet therapy is associated with lower rate of recurrent stroke. The small sample size and high heterogeneity with regards to bleeding outcomes require further large trials. In patients with PFO, closure and warfarin are associated with the lowest rates of recurrent stroke.

Patients with end-stage renal disease who are undergoing dialysis are reported to be at high risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD), and to date, no therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing this risk. The feasibility and value of prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation to prevent SCD is uncertain.We conducted the ICD2 trial (Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator in Dialysis Patients), a prospective, randomized, controlled study investigating the value and safety of ICD implantation to prevent SCD in 200 patients on dialysis with a left ventricular ejection fraction ≥35%, after adequate screening and optimization of other treatments. The primary end point was SCD. Secondary end points were all-cause mortality and ICD-related complications.The trial was stopped as per the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring board for futility reasons after inclusion of 188 patients, 97 in the ICD group and 91 in the control group. The median duration of follow-up was 6.8 years (interquartile range, 3.8-8.8 years). SCD occurred in 19 of 188 cases (10.1%), 11 of 97 in the ICD group and 8 of 91 in the control group. The cumulative SCD incidence at 5 years was 9.7% (95% CI, 3.3%-16.2%) in the ICD group and 7.9% (95% CI, 1.7-14.0%) in the control group, resulting in a hazard ratio of 1.32 (95% CI, 0.53-3.29; P=0.55). Overall, 99 of 188 patients died (52.7%), 52 in the ICD group and 47 in the control group. Five-year survival probability was 50.6% (95% CI, 39.8%-61.5%) in the ICD group and 54.5% (95% CI, 43.0-66.0%) in the control group, resulting in a hazard ratio of 1.02 (95% CI, 0.69-1.52; P=0.92). Among 80 patients who received an ICD, 25 adverse events related to ICD implantation occurred.In a well-screened and well-treated population undergoing dialysis, prophylactic ICD therapy did not reduce the rate of SCD or all-cause mortality, which remained high.URL: http://www.controlled-trials.com . Unique identifier: ISRCTN20479861.

Drug coated balloons (DCB) are an established therapy for the treatment of in-stent restenosis. However, their efficacy and safety in de-novo CAD compared with bare metal (BMS) and drug eluting stents (DES) remains unclear. We performed a meta-analysis of RCTs that evaluated the role of DCB in de

A 58-year-old male underwent ambulatory ECG monitoring with continuous patch monitoring (Zio XT Patch) for the complaint of episodic dyspnea. In the period of monitoring the patient suffered sudden cardiac death (SCD) with continuous ECG recording showing pronounced ST segment elevations followed by bradycardia and death. This report highlights the growing potential of continuous ST segment monitoring, and features the infrequent entity of ischemic electromechanical dissociation with bradyarrhythmia as a cause of SCD.

BACKGROUND: Little research has been done on primary care–based models to improve health care use after an emergency department (ED) visit. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of a primary care–based, nurse telephone support intervention for Veterans treated and released from the ED. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial with 1:1 assignment to telephone support intervention or usual care arms (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01717976). SETTING: Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System (VAHCS) in Durham, NC. PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred thirteen Veterans who were at high risk for repeat ED visits. INTERVENTION: The telephone support intervention consisted of two core calls in the week following an ED visit. Call content focused on improving the ED to primary care transition, enhancing chronic disease management, and educating Veterans and family members about VHA and community services. MAIN MEASURES: The primary outcome was repeat ED use within 30 days. KEY RESULTS: Observed rates of repeat ED use at 30 days in usual care and intervention groups were 23.1% and 24.9%, respectively (OR = 1.1; 95% CI = 0.7, 1.7; P = 0.6). The intervention group had a higher rate of having at least 1 primary care visit at 30 days (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1–2.3). At 180 days, the intervention group had a higher rate of usage of a weight management program (OR = 3.5, 95% CI = 1.6–7.5), diabetes/nutrition (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.0–3.0), and home telehealth services (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.0–2.9) compared with usual care. CONCLUSIONS: A brief primary care–based nurse telephone support program after an ED visit did not reduce repeat ED visits within 30 days, despite intervention participants’ increased engagement with primary care and some chronic disease management services. TRIALS REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01717976.