Combined Cardiac Catheterization Research Articles

Pre-Fontan Assessment Utilizing Combined Cardiac Catheterization and Cardiac MRI: Comparison to the Pre-Fontan Catheterization.

Single ventricle patients eligible for Fontan completion undergo pre-Fontan catheterization for hemodynamic and anatomic assessment prior to surgery. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging may be used to evaluate pre-Fontan anatomy, physiology, and collateral burden. We describe our center's outcomes in patients undergoing pre-Fontan catheterization combined with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. A retrospective review of patients undergoing pre-Fontan catheterization from 10/2018 to 04/2022 at Texas Children's Hospital was performed. Patients were divided into 2 groups: combined cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and catheterization (combined group) and those who underwent catheterization only (catheterization only group). There were 37 patients in the combined group and 40 in the catheterization only group. Both groups were similar in age and weight. Patients undergoing combined procedures received less contrast, and experienced less in-lab time, fluoroscopy time and catheterization procedure time. Median radiation exposure was lower in the combined procedure group but was not statistically significant. Intubation and total anesthesia times were higher in the combined procedure group. Patients undergoing a combined procedure were less likely to have collateral occlusion performed than in the catheterization only group. Bypass time, intensive care unit length of stay, and chest tube duration were similar in both groups at the time of Fontan completion. Combined pre-Fontan assessment decreases catheterization procedure and fluoroscopy time associated with cardiac catheterization at the expense of longer anesthetic times, and results in similar Fontan outcomes compared to when cardiac catheterization alone is utilized.

Dobutamine stress testing in patients with Fontan circulation augmented by biomechanical modeling.

Understanding (patho)physiological phenomena and mechanisms of failure in patients with Fontan circulation—a surgically established circulation for patients born with a functionally single ventricle—remains challenging due to the complex hemodynamics and high inter-patient variations in anatomy and function. In this work, we present a biomechanical model of the heart and circulation to augment the diagnostic evaluation of Fontan patients with early-stage heart failure. The proposed framework employs a reduced-order model of heart coupled with a simplified circulation including venous return, creating a closed-loop system. We deploy this framework to augment the information from data obtained during combined cardiac catheterization and magnetic resonance exams (XMR), performed at rest and during dobutamine stress in 9 children with Fontan circulation and 2 biventricular controls. We demonstrate that our modeling framework enables patient-specific investigation of myocardial stiffness, contractility at rest, contractile reserve during stress and changes in vascular resistance. Hereby, the model allows to identify key factors underlying the pathophysiological response to stress in these patients. In addition, the rapid personalization of the model to patient data and fast simulation of cardiac cycles make our framework directly applicable in a clinical workflow. We conclude that the proposed modeling framework is a valuable addition to the current clinical diagnostic XMR exam that helps to explain patient-specific stress hemodynamics and can identify potential mechanisms of failure in patients with Fontan circulation.

Real-time magnetic resonance assessment of septal curvature accurately tracks acute hemodynamic changes in pediatric pulmonary hypertension.

This study assesses the relationship between septal curvature and mean pulmonary artery pressure and indexed pulmonary vascular resistance in children with pulmonary hypertension. We hypothesized that septal curvature could be used to estimate right ventricular afterload and track acute changes in pulmonary hemodynamics. Fifty patients with a median age of 6.7 years (range, 0.45-16.5 years) underwent combined cardiac catheterization and cardiovascular magnetic resonance. The majority had idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (n=30); the remaining patients had pulmonary hypertension associated with repaired congenital heart disease (n=17) or lung disease (n=3). Mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance were acquired at baseline and during vasodilation. Septal curvature was measured using real-time cardiovascular magnetic resonance. There was a strong correlation between mean pulmonary artery pressure and SCmin at baseline and during vasodilator testing (r=-0.81 and -0.85, respectively; P<0.01). A strong linear relationship also existed between pulmonary vascular resistance and minimum septal curvature indexed to cardiac output both at baseline and during vasodilator testing (r=-0.88 and -0.87, respectively; P<0.01). Change in septal curvature metrics moderately correlated with absolute change in mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance, respectively (r=0.58 and -0.74; P<0.01). Septal curvature metrics were able to identify vasoresponders with a sensitivity of 83% (95% confidence interval, 0.36-0.99) and a specificity of 91% (95% confidence interval, 0.77-0.97), using the Sitbon criteria. Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension subgroup analysis revealed 3 responders with ΔSCmin values of 0.523, 0.551, and 0.568. If the middle value of 0.551 is taken as a cutoff, the approximate sensitivity would be 67% and the specificity would be 93%. Septal curvature metrics are able to estimate right ventricular afterload and track acute changes in pulmonary hemodynamics during vasodilator testing. This suggests that septal curvature could be used for continuing assessment of load in pulmonary hypertension.

Left-sided Scimitar Vein Causing Cyanosis after Fontan Operation: Successful Transcatheter Device Occlusion Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging X-ray Fusion

We present the case of a 3-year-old boy with asplenia-type heterotaxy syndrome and functionally single ventricle congenital heart disease who developed cyanosis early after the Fontan operation. Combined cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and catheterization identified a large hepatic vein to pulmonary vein connection as the source of right to left shunt. The anatomy was quite unusual, suggesting an underlying diagnosis of mixed total anomalous pulmonary venous connection with left-sided scimitar vein. This pattern of pulmonary venous return has not been previously reported in a patient with asplenia. MRI x-ray fusion was used to guide transcatheter device occlusion of the scimitar vein, resulting in marked clinical improvement.

Screening angiography of supraaortic vessels performed by invasive cardiologists at the time of cardiac catheterization: indications and results

An aging population makes multiple vascular distributions more likely in patients arriving at the cath lab for coronary artery angiography or complete cardiac catheterization. Whether or not screening angiography of supraaortic vessels can be performed at the time of cardiac catheterization by the invasive cardiologist is still debatable. We sought to determine safety and utility of performing angiography of supraaortic vessels during cardiac catheterization. Medical records of all patients undergoing combined coronary and noncoronary angiography between May 1998 and December 2002 was retrospectively reviewed. One hundred and forty patients (80 males, mean age 67.8 +/- 5.4 years) underwent combined cardiac catheterization and angiography of supraaortic vessels. Carotid artery angiography was performed at the same time of cardiac catheterization in 62 patients and subclavian artery angiography in the other 78 patients. Significant findings were reported in 32 (22.8%) patients. Complications included 1 transient ischemic attack and 2 carotid spasm resolved with nitrates infusion. In most cases the same standard catheters used during coronary angiography were used also for noncoronary angiography (119 patients, 85%). The incidence of significant angiographic findings and the relatively frequent association of CAD with supraaortic vessel atherosclerosis supports combined cardiac catheterization and angiography of supraaortic arteries but only in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease.

Evidence against the widespread use of angiography of noncoronary arteries during coronary artery angiography and cardiac catheterization

Although the most widely used screening techniques for extracardiac atherosclerotic distributions are noninvasive, in patients undergoing coronary arteriography, the question as to whether angiography of extracardiac arteries at the time of cardiac catheterization is really effective or if it should be considered malpractice is still open. We sought to determine the safety and real usefulness of angiography of extracardiac arteries performed by trained invasive cardiologists during cardiac catheterization. Medical records of all patients undergoing combined coronary and noncoronary angiography between May 1998 and December 2002 were retrospectively reviewed. Moderate to severe arterial stenosis (>50% stenosis), vessel occlusion, aneurysmal, or severe ectasia were noted as significant angiographic findings. Two hundred and seventy patients (165 males, mean age = 67.7+/-9.2 years, mean serum creatinine = 1.1+/-0.8 mg/dl) underwent combined cardiac catheterization and angiography of extracardiac arteries following specific indications. Significant findings were reported in 66 (24.4%) patients. Logistic regression analyses revealed three-vessel coronary artery disease [CAD; odds ratio (OR)=9.917; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.2 to 43.8; P = .002) and hypercholesterolemia (OR = 2.851; 95% CI=1.03 to 7.9; P = .044) to be independent predictors of extracardiac atherosclerotic involvement. Complications rate was negligible. The detection of significant angiographic findings led to endovascular treatment in 37.8% and surgical vascular repair in 33.3% of cases. Angiography of extracardiac arteries at the time of coronary angiography appears justified only in patients with specific indications, multivessel CAD, and hypercholesterolemia.

Aortoiliac Angiography During Coronary Artery Angiography Detects Significant Occult Aortoiliac and Renal Artery Atherosclerosis in Patients with Coronary Atherosclerosis

Peripheral atherosclerosis (renal and aortoiliac localizations) are frequently detected in aged patients with concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD): the risk of finding peripheral disease is increased in patients with CAD. Angiography of the aortoiliac vessels performed at the time of coronary angiography may detect any occult renal artery stenosis and atherosclerotic involvement of the aortoiliac segment. We sought to determine utility of performing angiography of aortoiliac and renal arteries during coronary arteriography in patients with known or suspect coronary atherosclerosis. Medical records of all patients undergoing combined coronary and aortoiliac angiography between May 1998 and December 2002 was retrospectively reviewed. Moderate to severe arterial stenosis (>50% stenosis), vessel occlusion, aneurismal vessels were noted as significant angiographic findings. Contrast-induced nephropathy was defined as a rise in serum creatinine of > or =25% form baseline. In the study period 112 patients (81 males, mean age 68.4+/-7.8 years) with known or suspected CAD underwent combined cardiac catheterization and aortoiliac angiography. Pretreatment with 0.45% saline at a rate of 1 ml/kg/h for 12 h was administered to all patients. Significant findings were reported in 37 (33%) patients including 14 renal artery stenoses, 8 aortic aneurismal disease, and 15 aortoiliac lesions. Most patients with significant findings had 2 and 3-vessel CAD. A strong correlation was found between the number of risk factors and the frequency of angiographic findings (r = 0.92). Complications include six contrast-induced nephropathy: no case required renal replacement therapy. Aortoiliac and renal atherosclerosis is frequently associated to multivessel CAD. In selected patients undergoing cardiac catheterization aortoiliac angiography may be practical in detecting occult renal or aortoiliac artery lesions. Further clinical outcome studies are strongly required to support this strategy.

Effusive-constrictive pericarditis

Background Effusive–constrictive pericarditis is an uncommon pericardial syndrome characterized by concomitant tamponade, caused by tense pericardial effusion, and constriction, caused by the visceral pericardium. We conducted a prospective study of its clinical evolution and management. Methods From 1986 through 2001, all patients with effusive–constrictive pericarditis were prospectively evaluated. Combined pericardiocentesis and cardiac catheterization were performed in all patients, and pericardiectomy was performed in those with persistent constriction. Follow-up ranged from 1 month to 15 years (median, 7 years). Results A total of 1184 patients with pericarditis were evaluated, 218 of whom had tamponade. Of these 218, 190 underwent combined pericardiocentesis and catheterization. Fifteen of these patients had effusive–constrictive pericarditis and were included in the study. All patients presented with clinical tamponade; however, concomitant constriction was recognized in only seven patients. At ca...

Response: Combined testing of cardiac and carotid artery stenosis?

Response: Combined testing of cardiac and carotid artery stenosis?

Combined cardiac catheterization for uncomplicated ischemic heart disease in a medicare population

PURPOSE: Experts recommend left heart catheterization alone to evaluate uncomplicated ischemic heart disease, reserving right heart catheterization for specific indications. Yet some centers routinely perform combined cardiac catheterization (left heart catheterization and right heart catheterization together). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Using 1992–1993 Pennsylvania Medicare claims for cardiac catheterizations (n = 41,180), we examined rates of combined cardiac catheterization for patients with uncomplicated ischemic heart disease for each hospital (n = 73) that performed catheterizations. We compared combined cardiac catheterization rates among hospitals and developed a multivariable model to identify hospital characteristics associated with high combined cardiac catheterization rates. A random sample of cases from the 10 hospitals with the highest combined cardiac catheterization rates were reviewed to determine justification, complications, and results of combined cardiac catheterization. RESULTS: Of the 41,180 cardiac catheterizations, 14,177 (34%) were combined procedures. Among hospitals, combined cardiac catheterization rates varied from 2% to 98%. Hospital characteristics associated with high combined cardiac catheterization rates included having a cardiology fellowship program (relative risk [RR] 1.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1–2.7), location in eastern Pennsylvania (RR 2.5, 95% CI: 1.8–3.5), and volume of catheterizations performed (RR 0.95, 95% CI: 0.91–0.99/100 procedures). For reviewed cases, the most common justification for combined cardiac catheterization was planned revascularization (44%), which is not a specific indication. Only 49% of cases had at least one specific indication for right heart catheterization (range by hospital, 30%–74%). The abnormal findings on the right heart catheterization rarely appeared to change management. CONCLUSION: There is wide variation in the practice of combined cardiac catheterization, which appears to be related to teaching status and geographic location. The most common justification for the procedure was planned revascularization, which is not one of the specific indications supported by current literature.

Effect of dual-chamber pacing on systolic and diastolic function in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Acute doppler echocardiographic and catheterization hemodynamic study

Objectives. This study sought to evaluate prospectively the acute hemodynamic effect of dual-chamber pacing by using a combined hemodynamic approach of high fidelity pressure and Doppler velocity measurements.Background. Dual-chamber pacing has been proposed recently as an alternative in the symptomatic treatment of patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Although early reports documented a decrease in left ventricular outflow tract gradient and symptomatic improvement, questions remain about the hemodynamic effects of dual-chamber pacing on systolic and diastolic function.Methods. Twenty-nine patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy underwent a combined cardiac catheterization and Doppler echocardiographic study during normal sinus rhythm and P-synchronous pacing at various atrioventricular (AV) intervals. High fidelity pressure measurements of left ventricular inflow and left atrial pressures, ascending aortic pressure, thermodilution cardiac output and Doppler mitral flow velocity curves were obtained to evaluate both systolic and diastolic left ventricular function.Results. During AV pacing at the shortest delay of 60 ms, there was a significant decrease in cardiac output (p < 0.05) and peak positive dP/dt (p < 0.05), an increase in mean left atrial pressure (p < 0.05) and a prolongation of τ, the time constant of relaxation (p < 0.05), compared with that during normal sinus rhythm. During pacing at the optimal AV delay (longest AV interval with pre-excitation), there was a similar trend, with deterioration in both systolic and diastolic function variables but of lesser magnitude than that during pacing at the shortest AV intervals. The deterioration in both systolic and diastolic function was present in 21 patients with and 8 without left ventricular outflow obstruction. There was a modest decrease in left ventricular outflow tract gradient from 73.3 ± 45.0 (mean ± SD) to 61.3 ± 40.5 mm Hg (p = 0.03) during dual-chamber pacing at the optimal AV delay compared with that during normal sinus rhythm.Conclusions. The acute effect of pacing the right atrium and ventricle may be detrimental to both systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle, particularly at the short AV intervals. Further studies of the long-term effects of dual-chamber pacing in carefully performed randomized studies are needed.

Combined cardiac catheterization and carotid cineangiography: an analysis of complications.

Two hundred fifty-three patients underwent cardiac catheterization with selective cineangiography of the carotid arteries. Diagnostic angiograms of both the right and left carotid arteries were obtained in 240 patients (95%). Of these, 217 patients (90%) were studied without complication, 18 (8%) had minor complications, and five (2%) had major complications. Four of the five major complications occurred in patients with bilateral carotid atherosclerosis obliterans. Variations of catheterization technique used in an effort to reduce risk are discussed.

Subacute effusive-constrictive pericarditis.

Clinical and hemodynamic observations are reported in 13 patients who demonstrated a distinct pathophysiologic form of compressive pericardial disease characterized by effusion into a free pericardial space associated with constriction of the heart by the visceral pericardium. The pericardial disease was idiopathic (nine patients) or subsequent to radiotherapy (four patients), with a maximal duration of symptoms of 16 months. Enlarged heart shadow, prominent paradoxical pulse, predominant systolic dip in the venous pressure pulse, and absence of atrial fibrillation were features that tended to distinguish the effusive-constrictive cases from those with noneffusive chronic constrictive pericarditis. The value of pressure measurements during combined cardiac catheterization and pericardiocentesis is emphasized in the differentiation of effusive-constrictive pericarditis from cardiac tamponade without constriction. Four patients were observed to progress through an effusive-constrictive phase to noneffusive constrictive pericarditis. Corticosteroids, pericardiocentesis, and other medical therapy produced some benefit but did not relieve constriction. The results of surgery were generally satisfactory.

RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE AND DEXTROCARDIA.

Acquired valvular lesions are rarely associated with dextrocardia and situs inversus. Very few hemodynamic data are available in these observations. We felt that a case of mitral stenosis in which combined cardiac catheterization was performed would be worth reporting. This patient, moreover, had undergone commissurotomy seven years earlier. Report of a Case A 38-year-old white woman suffered a first episode of rheumatic fever at the age of five years and another one at 16. Diphtheria and scarlet fever were denied. Complete situs inversus was discovered early. Progressive dyspnea appeared in 1950, after two uneventful pregnancies. In 1956, the auscultation was described as typical of mitral stenosis; the electrocardiogram showed inverted P waves in lead I; venous catheterization revealed increased pressures with a pulmonary wedge of 21 mm Hg. Digital valvotomy was performed in May, 1956: The surgeon observed a tight stenosis (about 1.0 sq cm) which was opened up to