Cardiac Embolism Research Articles

Variations in atrial fibrillation screening after ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack in Sweden

Abstract Background/Introduction The risk of recurrent stroke and mortality is high among patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) and untreated atrial fibrillation (AF). Hence, AF screening after an event has high priority in national and international guidelines. Despite the abundance of evidence on AF detection using different AF screening modalities, there is still no evidence on a prognostic benefit of ECG monitoring post ischemic stroke. There is a risk for variations in clinical practice for AF screening after ischemic cerebrovascular events due to this gap of evidence. Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical practice of AF screening after TIA or ischemic stroke at Swedish stroke units. Methods In collaboration with the stakeholders of the Swedish stroke register (Riksstroke) important fields to study were identified, e.g. AF screening method, first choice of method (multiple answers possible), monitoring duration, clinical follow-up etc. A draft for a digital survey was constructed and then tested and revised by 5 stroke consultants. The survey consisted of 18 multiple choice questions with free text comments and was sent by e-mail to the medical supervisors at all stroke units in Sweden in November 2021. Results All 72 stroke units in Sweden responded to the survey. Almost all (69/72) stroke units reported that ≥75% of ischemic stroke patients are screened for AF. Of the stroke units 81% had inpatient telemetry as their first choice of AF screening method (Figure 1), but 7% had no access to inpatient telemetry. In case of inpatient telemetry, 30% reported 0–24 hours and 54% reported 24–48 hours as their standard monitoring time. Most had the attending physician at the stroke unit as the primary ECG reader, some with access to support from cardiologist. Different standard monitoring durations for Holter were used (Figure 2) and 17% reported Holter as their first choice of AF screening method. Approximately 85% reported repeated ECG monitoring if high suspicion of cardiac embolization, preferably with repeated Holter (73%) or handheld ECG (49%). Implantable loop recorder (6%), event loop recorder (14%) and 2 weeks registration with ECG-patch (3%) was more infrequently used for this purpose. Conclusions Clinical practice for AF screening after ischemic stroke or TIA at Swedish stroke units showed considerable variations with a range of different AF screening methods and monitoring durations. Further, the standards and quality of inpatient ECG monitoring is unknown. There is an urgent need for evidence and evidence-based recommendations in this field, the present situation also implies inequality in care. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Stiftelsen Hjartat

IS THE PATENT FORAMEN OVALE AN INNOCENT BYSTANDER OR THE REAL CULPRIT? THE MILLION-DOLLAR QUESTION

IS THE PATENT FORAMEN OVALE AN INNOCENT BYSTANDER OR THE REAL CULPRIT? THE MILLION-DOLLAR QUESTION

Cardiac Amyloidosis Presenting as Isolated Severe Pulmonary Artery Hypertension

A 58-year-old woman presented with dyspnea on exertion and bilateral pedal edema for 3 months. She was found to have severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) with the right ventricular failure. The detailed evaluation did not reveal any secondary cause for PH (cardiac disease, pulmonary embolism, interstitial or other lung disease, collagen vascular disease, portal hypertension, or chronic liver disease). Meanwhile, her workup revealed multiple myeloma. Abdominal fat pad biopsy was performed because PH as an isolated manifestation of cardiac amyloidosis was previously reported. Thus, she was diagnosed to have systemic amyloidosis secondary to myeloma. PH was attributed to cardiac amyloidosis. We present a patient with PH and amyloidosis secondary to multiple myeloma. PH and primary systemic amyloidosis without cardiac or parenchymal lung involvement are extremely rare with only a few cases reported in the past.

Uncommon Female-Predominant Etiologies of Cryptogenic Stroke.

The etiologies of cryptogenic stroke are complex and heterogeneous. A number of uncommon etiologies are not fully recognized, some of which predominantly affect females. Most of these etiologies are closely related to the hormonal level, reproductive factors, coagulation function, and medications of females. Moreover, once cryptogenic stroke is diagnosed, females tend to have worse outcomes. Therefore, prompt etiological recognition and treatment are crucial for good recovery. The aim of this article is to review advances in exploring uncommon female-predominant etiologies of cryptogenic stroke. These etiologies are categorized into arterial, cardiac, and venous sources. Arterial vasoconstrictive narrowing, intimal injury, and intimal developmental abnormality can cause brain ischemia or artery-to-artery cerebral embolism. Myocardial contraction dysfunction, cardiac wall injury, and developmental abnormality can induce intracardiac thrombosis and lead to cardiac embolism. In addition, cortical venous thrombosis and occult venous thromboembolism via intracardiac or extracardiac channels also account for cryptogenic stroke in females. Due to the lack of knowledge, in clinical practice, the above etiologies are seldom assessed. The low incidence rate of these etiologies can lead to missed diagnosis. This review will provide novel clinical clues for the etiological diagnosis of cryptogenic stroke and will help to improve the management and secondary prevention of stroke in the female population. In the future, more studies are needed to explore the etiology and prevention strategies of cryptogenic stroke.

Mechanisms of Stroke in Patients with Fetal Posterior Cerebral Artery

ObjectivesThe fetal-type posterior cerebral artery (FTP) is a normal variation of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA), occurring in 3–36% of general population. The effects of the FTP in stroke mechanisms remain debatable. We aimed to investigate the differences in stroke mechanisms and lesion locations between patients with and without FTP. MethodsA total of 394 patients with PCA territory stroke were divided into those with PCA ischemic stroke associated with ipsilateral FTP and those without. The baseline characteristics, vascular risk factors, infarct pattern, stroke location, stroke etiology, and the diameter of P1 in patients without FTP or posterior communicating artery (PcoA) in patients with FTP were investigated. ResultsAmong the 394 patients, 52 (13.2%) PCA stroke patients with ipsilateral FTP were enrolled. Patients with FTP, in comparison with those without, had a higher frequency of deep infarct pattern (69.2% vs. 47.1%, P=0.012), small vessel occlusion (51.9% vs. 28.9%, P=0.009), ventrolateral thalamic involvement (65.4% vs. 49.1%, P=0.042), and a lower frequency of cardiac embolism (9.6% vs. 24.0%, P=0.009). The diameter of P1 in patients without FTP was larger than that of PcoA in patients with FTP (2.1 ± 0.3 mm vs. 1.6 ± 0.2 mm, P <0.001). ConclusionsThe stroke mechanisms, infarct pattern, and the location of the stroke were different between patients with and without FTP. PCA stroke patients with FTP more often had small vessel occlusion and ventrolateral thalamic involvement. These results are probably associated with difference in the hemodynamic status according to the presence of FTP.

Infective and nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis in patients with post-COVID-19 viral-immune myocarditis

The possibility of heart inflammation (both myocardial and endocardial) months after a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has not been practically studied, especially since approaches to the treatment of myocarditis in combination with various endocarditis forms have not been developed.Aim. To study the prevalence and mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2-associated endocardial injury in patients with morphologically verified post-COVID-19 myocarditis, as well as to develop approaches to comprehensive therapy.Material and methods. The study included 18 patients with severe morphologically verified post-COVID-19 myocarditis (men, 9; 51,1±9,4 years; 35 to 66 years). Patients with prior verified myocarditis/myocardial infarction, rheumatic heart disease, and systemic immune diseases were excluded. The average time after COVID-19 was 6,5 [3.5; 10] months The diagnosis of myocarditis was confirmed by endomyocardial biopsy (including immunohistochemical examination with antibodies to CD3, CD20, CD45, CD68, and to SARS-CoV-2 antigens; polymerase chain reaction for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, DNA of cardiotropic viruses). The blood level of anticardiac antibodies was determined by indirect immunofluorescence. In addition, echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging (n=8), cardiac multislice tomography (n=1), and coronary angiography (n=14) were performed.Results. Biopsy revealed active (n=12) and borderline (n=3) lymphocytic myocarditis, eosinophilic (n=2) and giant cell (n=1) myocarditis. In 4 patients, nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) with parietal and intravascular thrombosis was diagnosed, and in one patient — infective endocarditis (IE) of the bicuspid aortic valve. Myocardial persistence of SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 72% of cases (in 3 patients — with NBTE; in 1 — with IE; in 9 — without endocarditis). Titers of anticardiac antibodies increased by 3-4 times in 94% of patients. Patients with endocarditis were characterized by larger heart chambers, lower ejection fraction (27,5±6,6 vs 36,0±13,4%), more severe pulmonary hypertension, and valvular regurgitation. Intraventricular thrombosis according to echocardiography/magnetic resonance imaging and cardiac embolism was not observed. Treatment in all patients included methylprednisolone at an average dose of 24 mg a day. In 10 patients, the result was monitored for at least 3 months as follows: the ejection fraction was 46,0±12,7% and 44,3±7,3% in patients with and without endocarditis, respectively.Conclusion. Endocarditis in patients with post-COVID-19 myocarditis was detected in 28% (1 patient — IE; 4 — NBTE). The key mechanisms of post-COVID-19 myocarditis and NBTE are long-term (up to 18 months) myocardial persistence of SARS-Cov-2 and the development of an autoimmune reaction. Endocarditis was diagnosed in more severe patients, including those with giant cell and eosinophilic myocarditis. The effectiveness of steroid therapy in combination with anticoagulants in patients with NBTE requires further study. In case of IE, steroids can also be used in the treatment of myocarditis (in combination with antibiotics and immunoglobulin).

Cranial air embolism after transthoracic lung biopsy: A case report of a rare complication

Cerebral air embolism is a rare and fatal complication of computed tomography-guided transthoracic lung biopsy. Lesions with pulmonary vein involvement—especially cavitary lesions—require particular care during procedures performed with a guided needle. Only 2 ml of an air embolism reaching the cerebral arteries is fatal, and a 1-ml cardiac air embolism can be fatal. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be started immediately to reduce mortality and ensure recovery among patients who develop unconsciousness and extremity paralysis during or after the procedure including when diagnosed with cranial CT imaging. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been reported to reduce mortality by up to 7% and reduces neurological deficits after 48 hours—even in delayed cases. Thus, transthoracic lung biopsy is important for the diagnosis of peripheral lung masses. Here, we present a rare complication after this procedure. Our goal here was to contribute to early diagnosis and treatment by creating awareness.

Nonsustained atrial tachycardia in 24-hour Holter monitoring: a potential cardiac source of embolism in acute ischemic stroke

BackgroundWhether nonsustained atrial tachycardia (NSAT) has a causative role similar to paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) in ischemic stroke is unclear. We investigated the clinical and imaging features of ischemic stroke patients with NSAT to demonstrate that these patients would have a higher proportion of embolic strokes.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed ischemic stroke patients who underwent Holter monitoring and selected patients with NSAT. The clinical and imaging characteristics were compared between patients with and without NSAT, and the risk factors for embolic stroke were evaluated. Moreover, the images of the selected patients were analyzed according to the Trials of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment classification.ResultsFrom a total of 1,051 patients who had 24-hour Holter monitoring, 681 patients were selected for the study. Among the selected patients, NSAT was detected in 243 patients. The patients with NSAT had a significantly higher proportion of imaging findings suggestive of cerebral embolism compared with patients without NSAT (27% vs. 14%, P<0.001). Moreover, the presence of NSAT was a statistically significant factor associated with imaging findings suggestive of cerebral embolism in the univariate (OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.51–3.27; P<0.001) and multivariate (OR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.53–3.34; P<0.001) analyses. The patients with NSAT had a significantly older age at diagnosis, higher proportion of female sex, higher proportion of hypertension, lower proportion of smokers, higher CHA2DS2-VASc score, and higher left atrium index value compared with patients without NSAT.ConclusionsThe embolic pattern of acute ischemic stroke in patients with NSAT was frequently observed and shared clinical characteristics of AF rather than those of atherosclerosis. As NSAT may be a potential source of cardiac embolism, we suggest a more intensive search for modifiable risk factors such as AF in ischemic stroke in patients with NSAT.

A descriptive, cross-sectional study of postpartum education: midwives\u2019 self-reported knowledge and teaching of postpartum complications in Ghana

BackgroundObstetric complications remain the leading causes of maternal deaths. Since it is not always possible to ascertain which women will develop complications and which women will not, all women who have a baby should be educated about warning signs of complications. In this study, we assessed postpartum education provided by midwives, midwives’ knowledge to teach patients about complications and their skills to manage postpartum complications.MethodsDescriptive, cross-sectional study of 245 midwives in four hospitals in Tamale, Ghana, using an electronic questionnaire. Data analyzed in Stata 16 software using descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate statistics.ResultsMajority of midwives were female (98%). Mean age of midwives was 32 years. Most midwives spent 6 to 15 min teaching patients on warning signs of complications (61.89%). Mode of discharge education was mostly individual (83.13%). Most midwives reported no reference materials given to patients (66.39%). About 93.45% of midwives strongly agreed or agreed it is their responsibility to teach all patients, regardless of risk factors, about warning signs of complications. However, midwives did not always teach patients about complications. The majority of midwives felt they were knowledgeable or very knowledgeable to teach patients about hemorrhage (95.08%), infection (94.67%), preeclampsia/ eclampsia (90.95%), and hypertension (89.35%). Similarly, most midwives felt they had the skills to manage these same four obstetric complications. Unsurprisingly, most midwives were more likely to always educate their patients about hemorrhage, infection, preeclampsia/ eclampsia, and hypertension—the complications they were more knowledgeable about. Many midwives felt not knowledgeable about and not competent to manage postpartum depression, cardiac events, pulmonary embolism, and venous thrombosis. In the same regard, many midwives did not teach patients about the life-threatening complications they were least knowledgeable about.ConclusionsMidwives did not always teach patients about complications. Most midwives felt knowledgeable to teach and manage hemorrhage, infection, and preeclampsia/hypertension but not cardiac events, pulmonary embolism, and venous thrombosis. Additional training of midwives on life-threatening complications such as pulmonary embolism and cardiac events is recommended.

Etiologies of In-hospital cardiac arrest: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundEtiologies of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) in general wards may differ from etiologies of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) given the different clinical characteristics of these patient populations. An appreciation for the causes of IHCA may allow the clinician to appropriately target root causes of arrest. MethodsMEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar were queried from inception until May 31, 2021. Studies reporting etiologies of IHCA were included. A random effects meta-analysis of extracted data was performed using Review Manager 5.4. ResultsOf 12,451 citations retrieved from the initial literature search, 9 were included in the meta-analysis. The most frequent etiologies of cardiac arrest were hypoxia (26.46%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 14.19–38.74%), acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (18.23%, 95% CI 13.91–22.55%), arrhythmias (14.95%, 95% CI 0–34.93%), hypovolemia (14.81%, 95% CI 6.98–22.65%), infection (14.36%, 95% CI 9.46–19.25%), and heart failure (12.64%, 95% CI 6.47–18.80%). Cardiac tamponade, electrolyte disturbances, pulmonary embolism, neurological causes, toxins, and pneumothorax were less frequent causes of IHCA. Initial rhythm was unshockable (pulseless electrical activity or asystole) in 69.83% of cases and shockable (ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation) in 21.75%. ConclusionThe most prevalent causes of IHCA among the general wards population are hypoxia, ACS, hypovolemia, arrythmias, infection, heart failure, three of which (arrhythmia, infection, heart failure) are not part of the traditional “H’s and T’s” of cardiac arrest. Other causes noted in the “H’s and T’s” of advanced cardiac life support do not appear to be important causes of IHCA.

Does the length of stay in hospital affect healthcare outcomes of patients without COVID-19 who were admitted during the pandemic? A retrospective monocentric study

Uncertainties remain if changes to hospital care during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic had an adverse impact on the care-quality of non-COVID-19 patients. We examined the association of hospital length of stay (LOS) with healthcare quality indicators in patients admitted with general medical conditions (non-COVID-19). In this retrospective monocentric study at a National Health Service hospital (Surrey), data were collected from 1st April 2019 to 31st March 2021, including the pandemic from 1st March 2020. Primary admissions, in-hospital mortality, post-discharge readmission and mortality were compared between the pre-pandemic (reference group) and pandemic period, according to LOS categories. There were 10,173 (47.7% men) from the pre-pandemic and 11,019 (47.5% men) from the pandemic period; mean (SD) age 68.3 year (20.0) and 68.3 year (19.6), respectively. During the pandemic, primary admission rates for acute cardiac conditions, pulmonary embolism, cerebrovascular accident and malignancy were higher, whilst admission rates for respiratory diseases and common age-related infections, and in-hospital mortality rates were lower. Amongst 19,721 survivors, sex distribution and underlying health status did not significantly differ between admissions before the pandemic and during wave-1 and wave-2 of the pandemic. Readmission rates did not differ between pre-pandemic and pandemic groups within the LOS categories of < 7 and 7–14 days, but were lower for the pandemic group who stayed > 14 days. For patients who died within seven days of admission, in-hospital mortality rates were lower in patients admitted during the pandemic. Mortality rates within 30 days of discharge did not differ between pre-pandemic and pandemic groups, irrespective of the initial hospital LOS. Despite higher rates of admission for serious conditions during the pandemic, in-hospital mortality was lower. Discharge time was similar to that for patients admitted before the pandemic, except it was earlier during the pandemic for those who stayed > 14 days, There were no group differences in quality-care outcomes.

Dexamethasone Improves Cardiovascular Outcomes in Critically Ill COVID-19, a Real World Scenario Multicenter Analysis.

BackgroundSevere COVID-19 pneumonia requiring intensive care treatment remains a clinical challenge to date. Dexamethasone was reported as a promising treatment option, leading to a reduction of mortality rates in severe COVID-19 disease. However, the effect of dexamethasone treatment on cardiac injury and pulmonary embolism remains largely elusive.MethodsIn total 178 critically ill COVID-19 patients requiring intensive care treatment and mechanical ventilation were recruited in three European medical centres and included in the present retrospective study. One hundred thirteen patients (63.5%) were treated with dexamethasone for a median duration of 10 days (IQR 9–10). Sixty five patients (36.5%) constituted the non-dexamethasone control group.ResultsWhile peak inflammatory markers were reduced by dexamethasone treatment, the therapy also led to a significant reduction in peak troponin levels (231 vs. 700% indicated as relative to cut off value, p = 0.001). Similar, dexamethasone resulted in significantly decreased peak D-Dimer levels (2.16 mg/l vs. 6.14 mg/l, p = 0.002) reflected by a significant reduction in pulmonary embolism rate (4.4 vs. 20.0%, p = 0.001). The antithrombotic effect of dexamethasone treatment was also evident in the presence of therapeutic anticoagulation (pulmonary embolism rate: 6 vs. 34.4%, p < 0.001). Of note, no significant changes in baseline characteristics were observed between the dexamethasone and non-dexamethasone group.ConclusionIn severe COVID-19, anti-inflammatory effects of dexamethasone treatment seem to be associated with a significant reduction in myocardial injury. Similar, a significant decrease in pulmonary embolism, independent of anticoagulation, was evident, emphasizing the beneficial effect of dexamethasone treatment in severe COVID-19.

Cardiac Cement Embolism After Thoracic Kyphoplasty: Successful Conservative Treatment With 4-Year Follow-Up.

The present case report describes a complication after a percutaneous spine surgery technique that is highly uncommon in clinical practice: a bone cement cardiac embolism. This rare complication emphasizes the importance of this case, which is also interesting considering the midterm follow-up. Documented cardiac embolisms published in the literature (which are scarce) describe the acute phase of these cases but lack follow-up. There are no systematic reviews on this topic, only case-by-case presentations, and surgeons are not aware of its real implications. We report a case of an 84-year-old man who developed sudden thoracic and spinal pain associated with 82% saturation and dyspnea a few hours after 4-level thoracic spine vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. Imaging revealed multiple bone cement embolisms in his lung and heart. Because the patient was hemodynamically stable, cardiologists recommended conservative treatment with low molecular weight heparin, without embolus removal. At 4-year follow-up, the patient remained asymptomatic. Cardiac cement embolization following percutaneous techniques represents a life-threatening situation that should be ruled out if the patient presents symptoms during the early postoperative period. Treatment may vary from conservative to emergency open-heart surgery.

POS-158 MOST COMMON CAUSES OF PLEURAL EFFUSION IN THE ADEQUATELY DIALYZED MAINTENANCE DIALYSIS POPULATION: A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS

End stage renal disease (ESRD) patients who are on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) develop pleural effusion in about 3 % of cases. Major causes associated with pleural effusion in ESRD patients are fluid overload, congestive cardiac failure, infections (mainly pleural TB), and pulmonary embolism respectively.The usual approach to manage this effusion is by doing regular dialysis and try achieving dry weight of patient. Dry weight is the lowest body weight of patients on hemodialysis patients when they are clinically normo-volemic and normotensive after dialysis.

Atrial Fibrillation Detected After Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack: A Novel Clinical Concept Challenging Current Views.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) can be newly detected in approximately one-fourth of patients with ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack without previously recognized AF. We present updated evidence supporting that AF detected after stroke or transient ischemic attack (AFDAS) may be a distinct clinical entity from AF known before stroke occurrence (known atrial fibrillation). Data suggest that AFDAS can arise from the interplay of cardiogenic and neurogenic forces. The embolic risk of AFDAS can be understood as a gradient defined by the prevalence of vascular comorbidities, the burden of AF, neurogenic autonomic changes, and the severity of atrial cardiopathy. The balance of existing data indicates that AFDAS has a lower prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities, a lower degree of cardiac abnormalities than known atrial fibrillation, a high proportion (52%) of very brief (<30 seconds) AF paroxysms, and is more frequently associated with insular brain infarction. These distinctive features of AFDAS may explain its recently observed lower associated risk of stroke than known atrial fibrillation. We present an updated ad-hoc meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials in which the association between prolonged cardiac monitoring and reduced risk of ischemic stroke was nonsignificant (incidence rate ratio, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.71-1.15]). These findings highlight that larger and sufficiently powered randomized controlled trials of prolonged cardiac monitoring assessing the risk of stroke recurrence are needed. Meanwhile, we call for further research on AFDAS and stroke recurrence, and a tailored approach when using prolonged cardiac monitoring after ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack, focusing on patients at higher risk of AFDAS and, more importantly, at higher risk of cardiac embolism.

NT Pro-BNP can be used as a risk predictor of clinical atrial fibrillation with or without left atrial enlargement.

BackgroundNT Pro‐BNP is a blood marker secreted by cardiomyocytes. Myocardial stretch is the main factor to stimulate NT Pro‐BNP secretion in cardiomyocytes. NT Pro‐BNP is an important risk factor for cardiac dysfunction, stroke, and pulmonary embolism. So does atrial myocyte stretching occur when patients have atrial fibrillation (AF)? Whether atrial muscle stretch induced by AF leads to increased NT Pro‐BNP remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between NT Pro‐BNP and AF.HypothesisAF can cause changes in myocardial tension. Changes in myocardial tension may lead to increased secretion of NT Pro‐BNP. We hypothesize that NT Pro‐BNP may increase in AF with or without LAD enlargement.MethodsThis clinical study is an observational study and has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University. Ethical approval documents is attached. The study retrospectively reviewed 1345 patients with and without AF. After excluding 102 patients who were not eligible, the final total sample size was 1243 cases: AF group 679 patients (378, 55.7% males) and non‐AF group 564 patients (287, 50.8% males). NT Pro‐BNP was observed in AF group and non‐AF group with or without LAD. After adjusting for age, gender, BMI, left atrial diameter, hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, and cerebral infarction, NT Pro‐BNP remains statistically significant with AF.ConclusionNT Pro‐BNP can be used as a risk predictor of AF with or without left atrial enlargement.

Therapeutic dilemma: When to start anticoagulation for cardiac thrombi in acute ischemic stroke? Lessons from cases

Ischemic stroke has been one of the major reason for morbidity and mortality all over the world. Anticoagulation treatment in patients with cerebral ischemic events caused by cardiac emboli is no longer a matter of debate. The problem is when to start. Because of a recurrence rate of 15 to 20% in the first few weeks after the initial event, direct anticoagulation by means of intravenous heparin followed by oral anticoagulants seems to be indicated. We are presenting 2 cases of patients who suffered cardio-embolic stroke due to cardiac thrombosis and had a therapeutic dilemma on when to start the anticoagulation treatment. Early anticoagulation treatment was associated with good clinical and neurological outcome. Keywords: anticoagulation; stroke; cardiac thrombus; cardio-embolic stroke; hemorrhagic stroke; warfarin.

Predictors of transcatheter closure cancellation in children with ventricular septal defect

Background Ventricle septal defect (VSD) is the most common type of congenital heart disease in children. If definitive therapy delayed, failure to thrive and developmental delays can lead to decreased quality of life. The options for VSD closure include surgical and minimally invasive procedures with transcatheterization. Although transcatheterization is considered to be the safest therapy, the risk of complications can lead to cancellation of procedure.&#x0D; Objective To determine whether nutritional status, body height, VSD type and size, and type of device used were predictors of cancellation of transcatheter closure of VSD.&#x0D; Methods A retrospective cohort study using medical records was performed for all children who underwent transcatheter closure of VSD at Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Central Java, between January 2017 to March 2020. Cancellation of closure was defined as complications occurring during the procedure, such as cardiac conduction problems, valve regurgitation, and device embolization. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to determine independent predictors of closure cancellation.&#x0D; Results One hundred thirty-four children were enrolled. Independent variables that were significant predictors were doubly committed subarterial (DCSA) VSD type (OR 5.98; 95%CI 1.52 to 23.61; P=0.045), moderate VSD size (OR 15.59; 95%CI 4.67 to 52.06; P=0.001), and types of devices used: symmetric (OR 27.06; 95%CI 2.75 to 266.17; P=0.001), asymmetric (OR 16.46; 95%CI 2.15 to 210.0; P=0.001), and coil (OR 21.26; 95%CI 2.15 to 210.0; P=0.001). Taller body height was a protective factor against cancellation of the procedure (OR 0.98; 95%CI 0.96 to 1.00; P=0.008).&#x0D; Conclusion Significant predictors of cancellation of transcatheter VSD closure are DCSA VSD, moderate VSD size, as well as coil, symmetric, and asymmetric devices, and increased body height.

Abstract 1122‐000222: Repeated Mechanical Thrombectomy for Recurrent Large Vessel Occlusion: A Meta‐Analysis of Individual Participant Data

Introduction : Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has become the standard treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by large vessel occlusion (LVO), with different techniques used to achieve revascularization of the occluded vessel. However, early re‐occlusion of the target vessels could still take place in a considerable proportion of patients who already underwent MT for LVO. Therefore, we conducted this systematic review and individual participant data (IPD) meta‐analysis to provide more comprehensive evidence regarding the efficacy of repeat thrombectomy for recurrent LVO in early after successful first‐time MT. Methods : A computerized search on MEDLINE via PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane library using the relevant keywords was performed. The retrieved references were screened, and the relevant data were extracted. STATA and SPSS were used to perform this IPD meta‐analysis. Results : Twenty studies were included, of which ten studies were observational studies (n = 21,251 patients) and 10 cases reports (n = 10 patients). Out of the included patients, 266 patients (62.78% females) were identified with recurrent LVO. The overall prevalence of recurrent LVO was 1.6%, 95% CI (1.0% to 2.8%), p&lt;0.001. The mean age of the included patients was 65.67±16.23 years. Cardiac embolism was the most common cause of stroke in both times (52%). The median number of days between the first and second LVO was 15 days (IQR: 4–191). Regarding the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), the first and second MT reduced it significantly (MD = ‐8.91, 95% CI: ‐10.02 to ‐7.82) and (MD = ‐5.97, 95% CI: ‐7.53 to ‐4.43), respectively, with a significant difference between both procedures (p = 0.001). The mean ASPECT after the first MT was 8.65±1.45, and after the second MT was 8.01±1.88. A significant weak correlation was observed between the ASPECT of first MT and NIHSS before it (r = ‐0.270, p = 0.001). Based on the thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) grading system, the first MT resulted in 57.3% complete perfusion, 42.1% partially filling, and 0.7% no/minimal filling, while the second MT resulted in 48% complete perfusion, 30% partially filling, and 6.67% no/minimal filling, with a significant difference between both MTs (p = 0.042). Regarding the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 90 days after the first MT, “0” was the most frequent outcome (26.9%), followed by “2” (13.0%), “1” (12.4%), and “4” (7.3%). On the other hand, the 90‐day mRS after the second MT was categorized as the following: “6” in 13.5%, “3” in 13.5%, “2” in 11.9%, “1” in 11.9%, and “4” in 9.3%. Conclusions : In properly selected patients with recurrent LVO, repeated MT appears to be feasible and safe. A prior MT procedure should not discourage aggressive treatment as these patients may achieve similar rates of good clinical outcomes as those who undergo single MT.

Gender based outcome of IABP implantation in patients with acute coronary syndrome and cardiogenic shock: a national inpatient sample database analysis

Abstract Background Intra-Aortic Balloon counter-pulsation is frequently used as a circulatory support device in patients requiring hemodynamic support - in cardiogenic shock and in patients at risk of hemodynamic decompensation during a high-risk coronary intervention. Impact of IABP in this patient population has been variable. Certain studies have shown a beneficial effect of IABP on selected populations having acute coronary syndrome with cardiogenic shock (1–3). Our objective was to compare the outcomes based on gender in the ACS population with cardiogenic shock and IABP placement. Methods We analyzed the National Inpatient Sample database from Oct-2015 to Dec-2017 released under Healthcare Cost utilization Project in the USA using Stata 16.0. The population was identified using respective ICD-10 codes. We excluded the population with sudden cardiac arrest, pulmonary embolism, and patients with anatomical post-MI complications. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to determine the difference in outcomes based on gender using clinically relevant variables. Later, propensity-matched cohort analysis was performed based on the regression variables. Results Of 36, 990 patients who met our inclusion criteria 25,670 (69%) were male and 11,320 (31%) were female. The average age for male and female populations was 66±11 and 69±12 years. Femnales were more likely to have higher Charlson co-morbidity index three or above. We found higher mortality in the female population [3,146 (27.79%)] compared to male [5,884 (22.92%)] in univariate analyses. Propensity-matched multivariate regression analysis showed no difference [OR: 1.06 (0.91–1.22) with P-value: 0.482] in mortality after adjusting for clinically relevant variables. Subgroup analysis in STEMI and NSTEMI populations did not show a difference. The average hospital stay was similar in both cohorts, with the male having a higher cost per stay. We found no difference in most of the complications included in our study except for higher coronary artery dissection [OR: 2.98 (1.73–5.13), P-value: &amp;lt;0.001] and lower rates of AKI [OR: 0.72 (0.63–0.83), P-value: &amp;lt;0.001], AKI requiring hemodialysis [OR: 0.74 (0.56–0.97), P-value:0.031] and ventricular tachycardia [OR: 0.73 (0.64–0.84), P-value: &amp;lt;0.001] in the female population. Conclusion The inpatient population of ACS with Cardiogenic shock and IABP insertion showed no significant difference in mortality between males and females which was valid for subgroup analysis of NSTEMI and STEMI groups. Complications such as coronary artery dissection were higher, whereas AKI, AKI requiring hemodialysis, and ventricular tachycardias, were lower in females than males. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.