Akhil Parashar

Exercise Training in Patients With Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction Meta-Analysis of Randomized Control Trials

Background—Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) is common and characterized by exercise intolerance and lack of proven effective therapies. Exercise training has been shown to be effective in improving cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in patients with systolic heart failure. In this meta-analysis, we aim to evaluate the effects of exercise training on CRF, quality of life, and diastolic function in patients with HFPEF. Methods and Results—Randomized controlled clinical trials that evaluated the efficacy of exercise training in patients with HFPEF were included in this meta-analysis. Primary outcome of the study was change in CRF (measured as change in peak oxygen uptake). Effect of exercise training on quality of life (estimated using Minnesota living with heart failure score), and left ventricular systolic and diastolic function was also assessed. The study included 276 patients who were enrolled in 6 randomized controlled trials. In the pooled data analysis, patients with HFPEF undergoing exercise training had significantly improved CRF (mL/kg per min; weighted mean difference, 2.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.79–3.65) and quality of life (weighted mean difference, −3.97; 95% confidence interval, −7.21 to −0.72) when compared with the control group. However, no significant change was observed in the systolic function (EF−weighted mean difference, 1.26; 95% confidence interval, −0.13% to 2.66%) or diastolic function (E/A−weighted mean difference, 0.08; 95% confidence interval, −0.01 to 0.16) with exercise training in patients with HFPEF. Conclusions—Exercise training in patients with HFPEF is associated with an improvement in CRF and quality of life without significant changes in left ventricular systolic or diastolic function.

Exercise Training in Patients with Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Control Trials

Background—Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) is common and characterized by exercise intolerance and lack of proven effective therapies. Exercise training has been shown to be effective in improving cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in patients with systolic heart failure. In this meta-analysis, we aim to evaluate the effects of exercise training on CRF, quality of life, and diastolic function in patients with HFPEF. Methods and Results—Randomized controlled clinical trials that evaluated the efficacy of exercise training in patients with HFPEF were included in this meta-analysis. Primary outcome of the study was change in CRF (measured as change in peak oxygen uptake). Effect of exercise training on quality of life (estimated using Minnesota living with heart failure score), and left ventricular systolic and diastolic function was also assessed. The study included 276 patients who were enrolled in 6 randomized controlled trials. In the pooled data analysis, patients with HFPEF undergoing exercise training had significantly improved CRF (mL/kg per min; weighted mean difference, 2.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.79–3.65) and quality of life (weighted mean difference, −3.97; 95% confidence interval, −7.21 to −0.72) when compared with the control group. However, no significant change was observed in the systolic function (EF−weighted mean difference, 1.26; 95% confidence interval, −0.13% to 2.66%) or diastolic function (E/A−weighted mean difference, 0.08; 95% confidence interval, −0.01 to 0.16) with exercise training in patients with HFPEF. Conclusions—Exercise training in patients with HFPEF is associated with an improvement in CRF and quality of life without significant changes in left ventricular systolic or diastolic function.

Measures to Reduce Radiation in a Modern Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory

Background—X-ray use in the catheterization laboratory is guided by the principle of as low as reasonably achievable. In accordance with this principle, we reduced the default fluoroscopic frame rate from 10 to 7.5 frames/s and increased the emphasis on the use of low-dose acquisition starting January 1, 2013. We aimed to study the impact of these measures on the total air kerma during diagnostic catheterization (DC) and percutaneous interventions (PCI). Methods and Results—Propensity matching based on age, sex, body surface area, total fluoroscopy time, and total acquisition time was used to select matched patients for 2012 and 2013, further stratified by DC or PCI. The total air kerma was subsequently compared between 2012 and 2013, separately for DC and PCI. Median total air kerma during DC in 2013 was 625 mGy, which was significantly lower than the corresponding values in 2012 (median, 798 mGy; P<0.001). Similarly, median total air kerma during PCI in 2013 was 1675 mGy, which was significantly less than corresponding values in 2012 (median 2463 mGy, P<0.001). On comparison of air kerma rates between corresponding projections in 2 years, we observed a significant reduction in fluoroscopy- and acquisition-based air kerma rates in 2013, after institution of radiation reduction measures in all projections. Conclusions—With reduction in the default fluoroscopic frame rate and a greater use of low-dose acquisition, there has been a marked reduction in the total air kerma and air kerma rates for DC and PCI.

Predicting vascular complications during transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement using computed tomography: a novel area-based index.

Computed tomography (CT) imaging has not been systematically studied for predicting vascular complications during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Outcomes and Resource Utilization in ST‐Elevation Myocardial Infarction in the United States: Evidence for Socioeconomic Disparities

Background Socioeconomic status (SES) as reflected by residential zip code status may detrimentally influence a number of prehospital clinical, access‐related, and transport variables that influence outcome for patients with ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing reperfusion. We sought to analyze the impact of SES on in‐hospital mortality, timely reperfusion, and cost of hospitalization following STEMI. Methods and Results We used the 2003–2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample database for this analysis. All hospital admissions with a principal diagnosis of STEMI were identified using ICD‐9 codes. SES was assessed using median household income of the residential zip code for each patient. There was a significantly higher mortality among the lowest SES quartile as compared to the highest quartile (OR [95% CI]: 1.11 [1.06 to 1.17]). Similarly, there was a highly significant trend indicating a progressively reduced timely reperfusion among patients from lower quartiles (OR [95% CI]: 0.80 [0.74 to 0.88]). In addition, there was a lower utilization of circulatory support devices among patients from lower as compared to higher zip code quartiles (OR [95% CI]: 0.85 [0.75 to 0.97]). Furthermore, the mean adjusted cost of hospitalization among quartiles 2, 3, and 4, as compared to quartile 1 was significantly higher by

Long-term mortality after cardiac allograft vasculopathy: implications of percutaneous intervention.

913,

Impact of Severe Mitral Regurgitation on Postoperative Outcomes After Noncardiac Surgery

2140, and

Comparative meta-analysis of balloon-expandable and self-expandable valves for transcatheter aortic valve replacement

4070, respectively. Conclusions Patients residing in zip codes with lower SES had increased in‐hospital mortality and decreased timely reperfusion following STEMI as compared to patients residing in higher SES zip codes. The cost of hospitalization of patients from higher SES quartiles was significantly higher than those from lower quartiles.

Single center TAVR experience with a focus on the prevention and management of catastrophic complications

OBJECTIVES This study compared the prognosis of patients with proximal cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) treated with percutaneous intervention (PCI) to the prognosis of those with severe CAV not amenable to PCI. BACKGROUND CAV is a progressive form of arterial narrowing affecting patients with orthotopic heart transplants (OHTs). PCI has been used to treat patients with focal CAV, but its efficacy remains unclear. METHODS Of 853 patients undergoing OHT and subsequent coronary angiographies at the Cleveland Clinic, all patients with at least moderate CAV (>30%) on any coronary angiogram following OHT were included. Of remaining patients with no/mild CAV, 200 patients were randomly chosen to represent the comparison group. All angiograms of the included patients were reviewed and graded according to the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) nomenclature. RESULTS Of the 393 included patients, 100 patients underwent definitive intervention for CAV. Of these 100 patients, 90 patients underwent PCI only, 6 patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, and 4 patients underwent repeat OHT. We observed a progressive increase in long-term mortality with worsening CAV. Patients with ISHLT grade 3 CAV had the highest long-term mortality compared with other groups. In addition, there was a significant reduction in the risk for mortality at 2-year follow-up (adjusted odds ratio: 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.08 to 0.82) and 5-year follow-up (adjusted odds ratio: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.93) after PCI compared with patients diagnosed with ISHLT grade 3 CAV, who were deemed unsuitable for PCI. Furthermore, statin use was associated with a significant survival benefit in patients with CAV (hazard ratio: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.61). CONCLUSIONS Worsening severity of CAV was associated with progressively worse long-term survival among heart transplant recipients. Among patients with CAV, long-term survival in those with CAV amenable to PCI was greater than that in those with severe CAV not treatable with PCI.

Degenerative Mitral Stenosis: Unmet Need for Percutaneous Interventions

OBJECTIVE Preoperative cardiac risk assessment scoring systems traditionally do not include valvular regurgitation as a criterion for adverse outcome prediction. We sought to determine the impact of significant mitral regurgitation on postoperative outcomes after planned noncardiac surgeries. METHODS Patients with significant mitral regurgitation (moderate-severe or severe) undergoing noncardiac surgery were identified using surgical and echocardiographic databases at the Cleveland Clinic. The mechanism of mitral regurgitation was identified and classified as ischemic or nonischemic. By using propensity score analysis, we obtained 4 matched controls (patients undergoing noncardiac surgery without mitral regurgitation) for each case. The primary outcome was defined as a composite of 30-day mortality, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and stroke. Secondary outcomes included 30-day mortality, myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, and atrial fibrillation. RESULTS A total of 298 cases and 1172 controls were included in the study. The incidence of primary outcome was significantly higher among patients with mitral regurgitation (22.2%) compared with controls (16.4%, P=.02). Analysis of the secondary outcomes revealed significant differences in perioperative heart failure (odds ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-2.0) and perioperative myocardial infarction (odds ratio, 2.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-7.3). Of patients with mitral regurgitation, those with ischemic mitral regurgitation had significantly more events than those with nonischemic mitral regurgitation (39.2% vs 13.3%, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS Patients undergoing noncardiac surgery with significant ischemic mitral regurgitation are at higher risk of a composite adverse postoperative outcome, including short-term mortality, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke.