Vanessa Blumer

Comparison of Utilization Trends, Indications, and Complications of Endomyocardial Biopsy in Native Versus Donor Hearts (from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample 2002 to 2014)

Native heart endomyocardial biopsy (NH-EMB) is an infrequently performed procedure. The objective of this study is to describe utilization trends, indications, and complications associated with NH-EMB in the United States and compare them with transplanted heart endomyocardial biopsy (TH-EMB). Using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project National Inpatient Sample database, we identified 71,105 adult patients undergoing EMB in the inpatient setting in participating hospitals from 2002 to 2014. A total of 20,770 (29%) were performed on NHs (mean age 52.2 ± 15.3, 61% men). Approximately half of patients were white and mean Charlson co-morbidity index was 1.97 ± 1.6. Common indications for NH-EMB included a suspected primary cardiomyopathy (disorder confined to the myocardium), heart failure without cardiogenic shock, and acute myocarditis. Less common indications included heart failure with cardiogenic shock, unexplained heart failure with ventricular tachycardia or high-degree atrioventricular block, and cardiac neoplasms. Complications included pericardial effusion (3.8%), third-degree atrioventricular block (2.7%), vascular complications (1.9%), and deep venous thrombosis (3.5%), in others. Predictors of complications included presence of a cardiac malignant neoplasm, use of hemodynamic support, heart failure with ventricular tachyarrhythmias, and female gender. Compared with NH-EMB, TH-EMB was associated with lower rates of pericardial effusion, third-degree atrioventricular block, ventricular tachyarrhythmias requiring cardioversion, and higher rates of deep venous thrombosis, infections, and pneumothorax. NH-EMB utilization is low in the United States and constitutes less than 1/3 of all EMBs performed.

Predictors and etiologies of 30-day readmissions in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome: Readmissions in patients with NSTE-ACS

Despite improvements in acute care and survival after non‐ST‐elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE‐ACS) hospitalization, early readmissions remain common, and have significant clinical and financial impact.

CARDIAC RESYNCHRONIZATION THERAPY IN INOTROPIC-DEPENDENT HEART FAILURE PATIENTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in inotrope-dependent patients with heart failure (HF) to ascertain the viability of CRT in these patients. BACKGROUND During the last decade, significant numbers of trials have demonstrated the beneficial effect of CRT in the treatment of patients with HF and systolic dysfunction, prolonged QRS complex duration, and New York Heart Association functional class III or IV. However, it is currently undetermined whether CRT may benefit patients who require inotropic support. METHODS The authors systematically searched Medline, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library through March 2017 for studies evaluating outcomes after CRT in inotrope-dependent patients with HF. The study analyzed 8 studies including 151 patients. Most of the patients were in New York Heart Association functional class IV (80.1%), and all had severe systolic HF, with a left ventricular ejection fraction <30% and a significant intraventricular conduction delay in their surface electrocardiogram (QRS complex duration >130 ms). RESULTS The pooled analysis demonstrated that 93% of the reported patients (95% confidence interval: 86% to 100%) were weaned from inotropic support after CRT, and the overall 12-month survival rate was 69% (95% confidence interval: 56% to 83%). CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that rescue CRT may be considered a viable therapeutic option in inotrope-dependent patients with HF. In these patients, rescue CRT may allow them to be weaned from inotropic therapy, improve their quality of life, and decrease the rate of mortality; furthermore, rescue CRT may serve as a possible bridge to cardiac transplantation or left ventricular assist device therapy.