Right Heart Catheterization Research Articles

Spiral cardiac quantitative susceptibility mapping for differential cardiac chamber oxygenation-Initial validation in relation to invasive blood sampling.

To develop a breath-hold cardiac quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) sequence for noninvasive measurement of differential cardiac chamber blood oxygen saturation (ΔSO2). A non-gated three-dimensional stack-of-spirals QSM sequence was implemented to continuously sample the data throughout the cardiac cycle. Measurements of ΔSO2 between the right and left heart chamber obtained by the proposed sequence and a previously validated navigator Cartesian QSM sequence were compared in three cohorts consisting of healthy volunteers, coronavirus disease 2019 survivors, and patients with pulmonary hypertension. In the pulmonary-hypertension cohort, Bland-Altman plots were used to assess the agreement of ΔSO2 values obtained by QSM and those obtained by invasive right heart catheterization (RHC). Compared with navigator QSM (average acquisition time 419 ± 158 s), spiral QSM reduced the scan time on average by over 20-fold to a 20-s breath-hold. In all three cohorts, spiral QSM and navigator QSM yielded similar ΔSO2. Among healthy volunteers and coronavirus disease 2019 survivors, ΔSO2 was 17.41 ± 4.35% versus 17.67 ± 4.09% for spiral and navigator QSM, respectively. In pulmonary-hypertension patients, spiral QSM showed a slightly smaller ΔSO2 bias and narrower 95% limits of agreement than that obtained by navigator QSM (1.09% ± 6.47% vs. 2.79% ± 6.99%) when compared with right heart catheterization. Breath-hold three-dimensional spiral cardiac QSM for measuring differential cardiac chamber blood oxygenation is feasible and provides values in good agreement with navigator cardiac QSM and with reference right heart catheterization.

Mean pulmonary artery pressure prediction with explainable multi-view cardiac MR cine series deep learning model

BackgroundPulmonary hypertension (PH) is a heterogeneous condition and regardless of aetiology impacts negatively on survival. Diagnosis of PH is based on hemodynamic parameters measured invasively at right heart catheterization (RHC), however, a non-invasive alternative would be clinically valuable. Our aim was to estimate RHC parameters non-invasively from cardiac MR data using deep learning models and to identify key contributing imaging features. MethodsWe constructed an explainable convolutional neural network (CNN) taking cardiac MR cine series from 4 different views as input to predict mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP). The model was trained and evaluated on 1646 examinations. The model’s attention weight and predictive performance associated with each frame, view, or phase was used to judge its importance. Additionally, the importance of each cardiac chamber was inferred by perturbing part of the input pixels. ResultsThe model achieved a Pearson Correlation Coefficient (PCC) of 0.80 and R2 of 0.64 in predicting mPAP, and identified the right ventricle (RV) region on short-axis (SAX) view to be especially informative. ConclusionsHemodynamic parameters can be estimated non-invasively with a CNN, using MR cine series from 4 views, revealing key contributing features at the same time.

Esophageal Manometry in Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Necessity or Simply a Neighbor of the Pulmonary Artery Catheter?

Esophageal Manometry in Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Necessity or Simply a Neighbor of the Pulmonary Artery Catheter?

Effect of Perioperative Pulmonary Artery Catheter Use in Cardiac Surgery: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study

Effect of Perioperative Pulmonary Artery Catheter Use in Cardiac Surgery: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study

Correlation between right atrial pressure measured via right heart catheterization and venous excess ultrasound, inferior vena cava diameter, and ultrasound-measured jugular venous pressure: a prospective observational study

BackgroundVenous congestion is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes, necessitating accurate venous pressure assessment. Current methods, such as right heart catheterization (RHC), have limitations. Non-invasive techniques, including venous excess ultrasound (VExUS), inferior vena cava (IVC) assessment, and ultrasound-measured jugular venous pressure (uJVP), show promise but require validation in diverse populations.AimsWe aimed to assess the correlation between right atrial pressure (RAP) via RHC and non-invasive methods, including VExUS, IVC diameter with collapsibility index (CI) by American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) classification, and uJVP.MethodsIn a prospective study involving 73 patients undergoing RHC, we evaluated the correlation between RAP and VExUS, IVC CI by ASE classification, and uJVP. We introduced and compared a modified VExUS grading system.ResultsVExUS significantly correlated with RAP (p < 0.001), especially between VExUS grade 0 and grade 3. RAP significantly differed across IVC classifications by ASE (P < 0.001). VExUS grade 0 correlated with IVC class 1, and VExUS grade 3 correlated with IVC class 3. The modified VExUS grading system improved low and high RAP differentiation. uJVP exhibited a robust, highly significant positive correlation with invasively measured RAP (ρ = 0.67, P < 0.001).ConclusionThis study establishes a strong correlation between non-invasive ultrasound measurements (VExUS, IVC diameter with CI, and uJVP) and invasively measured RAP. These findings underscore the clinical potential of these non-invasive techniques in venous congestion assessment and patient risk stratification.

Assessment of hemodynamic parameters by PiCCO and PAC in patients treated with the Impella CP.

In 28 patients supported by an Impella pump (Impella CP, Abiomed Inc.®, Danvers, MA), hemodynamic measurements by PiCCO (PULSION Medical Systems SE®, Feldkirchen, Germany) and pulmonary artery catheter (PAC or Swan-Ganz Catheter; Edwards Lifescience®, Unterschleissheim, Germany) were compared. There was a significant positive correlation of cardiac output (CO; r 2 = 0.917, p < 0.001), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI; r 2 = 0.904, p < 0.001), stroke volume index (SI; r 2 = 0.909, p < 0.001) and left ventricular work index (LCWI; r 2 = 0.689, p < 0.001) in PiCCO and PAC measurements under Impella CP support. We conclude, that in patients with left-ventricular Impella support, hemodynamics may be assessentd by PiCCO or PAC.

Right ventricular outflow tract fractional shortening: a novel diagnostic parameter for pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive vascular disease characterized by elevated pulmonary arterial pressure and resistance in the pulmonary vascular bed. It is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Although right heart catheterization (RHC) is the gold standard for diagnosis, noninvasive methods, such as echocardiography, are essential for early detection and management. This study aimed to elucidate the potential of right ventricular outflow tract fractional shortening (RVOT-FS) as a noninvasive diagnostic tool for PH. This single-center observational cohort study was conducted between November 2023 and May 2024. The study included 141 patients referred to the PH clinic (75 with confirmed PH and 66 controls). Echocardiographic measurements were performed using standard protocols, and RVOT-FS was calculated. Hemodynamic parameters were obtained via RHC. RVOT-FS was significantly lower in the PH group (35.71%, IQR: 27.15-43.33) than in the control group (54.50%, IQR: 45.21-69.17) (p < 0.001). RVOT-FS showed negative correlations with mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) (r = -0.664, p < 0.001), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) (r = -0.526, p < 0.001), and other RHC and RV echocardiographic parameters. ROC analysis demonstrated that RVOT-FS is a reliable parameter for predicting PH, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.866. An RVOT-FS value of 44.05% had a sensitivity of 82.7% and specificity of 83.3% for diagnosing PH. This study revealed that RVOT-FS was significantly lower in the PH group than in the control group. The correlations also observed between RVOT-FS and mPAP, PVR, and other RHC and echocardiographic parameters imply its potential clinical utility.

The importance of assessing and correcting hydration status prior to right heart catheterisation: a pilot study.

We evaluated whether fluid status could be accurately assessed (and corrected if necessary) prior to right heart catheterisation (RHC), to diagnose accurately post-capillary pulmonary hypertension (PHT) in patients with left heart disease risk factors. A non-invasive measure of fluid status prior to RHC identified fluid-depleted patients. Baseline RHC measurements were performed, and a novel provocation technique (passive leg raise) was compared to a 'one-dose-fits-all' fluid challenge and found to be equivalent.

Persistent pulmonary hypertension in children after apparent resolution of ultrasound-defined pulmonary hypertension associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia

To evaluate pulmonary hemodynamics in patients who had been followed up for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)-associated pulmonary hypertension (PH) in the mid-term by right heart catheterization (RHC). A retrospective study was conducted among 56 patients who were born at a gestational age < 28 weeks during 2018–2020, and the consecutive patients complicated by BPD and ultrasound-defined PH (n = 10, 18%), of whom 7 patients were treated with sildenafil, were examined by RHC in the mid-term follow-up (median age: 25 months [IQR: 19–32]). Ultrasound study at RHC showed improvement in PH as represented by left ventricular end-systolic eccentricity index (median [IQR], 1.05 [IQR: 1.03–1.06] vs. 1.18 [IQR: 1.15–1.33]), pulmonary artery acceleration time (PAAT) (mean ± SD, 97.3 ± 18.2 vs. 55.2 ± 10.1) and a ratio of PAAT to right ventricular ejection time (0.35 ± 0.05 vs. 0.25 ± 0.04) compared with those at 40 weeks of postmenstrual age (PMA) (p < 0.05, respectively). RHC (mean pulmonary artery [PA] pressure: 21 [19–22] mmHg; pulmonary vascular resistance index [PVRi]: 2.63 [1.95–2.94] Wood Units·m2) revealed that 5 infants (50%) had mild PH (21–24 mmHg) and reduced peripheral PAs by pulmonary wedge angiography. The presence of emphysema on chest CT at 40 weeks of PMA and moderate/marked reduction of contrast filling in peripheral PAs on angiography were correlated with increased PVRi (p < 0.05, respectively). Conclusion: We observed that even after apparent resolution of ultrasound-defined PH, half of patients had catheterization-defined PH and vasculopathy at 2 years of age. These findings warrant long-term follow-up studies of BPD-associated PH.What is Known:• Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with increased mortality in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Mortality in patients with BPD-associated PH predominantly occurs within the first 6 months of life and most patients who survive beyond 6 months show resolution of PH on echocardiography by 2 to 3 years of age.What is New:• Even after the resolution of echocardiography-derived PH in infants with BPD-associated PH in the mid-term, the majority of such patients have abnormal pulmonary vasculature with PH or mildly elevated pulmonary artery pressure on right heart catheterization (RHC), indicating that echocardiography is insufficient and RHC may be necessary to follow up this population of patients.

Reversibility of pulmonary hypertension in systemic lupus erythematosus after induction immunosuppressive therapy: An inflammatory manifestation?

To evaluate the possible reversibility of PAH to a normopressoric state in SLE after induction immunosuppressive (IS) and predictors of response. We retrospectively evaluated all SLE-PAH patients who underwent IS therapy at our center. PAH reversion was defined as the normalization of pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), either by the presence of systolic PAP <40mmHg on echocardiogram or mean PAP <20mmHg on right heart catheterization (RHC). SLE patients were divided in Reversion and No-Reversion of SLE-PAH groups for comparative analysis at baseline and after IS. Among 2,074 SLE patients, 28 SLE-PAH received IS therapy (1.3%). Ten patients (35.7%) achieved SLE-PAH reversion. Demographic data, disease duration, SLEDAI-2K, and SDI Damage scores were similar between Reversion and No-Reversion of SLE-PAH groups (p > 0.05). At baseline, Reversion of SLE-PAH had lower sPAP (p = 0.032), lower right ventricle dilatation (p = 0.003) and hypokinesia (p = 0.017) frequencies on echocardiogram, and also lower BNP levels (p = 0.041) and risk stratification score (p = 0.014). Hemodynamic parameters were similar among groups (p > 0.05). After IS, a significant decrease in CRP levels was identified only in Reversion of SLE-PAH (p = 0.013), although both groups had a significant reduction in SLEDAI-2K (p < 0.05). Both groups had significant improvement in risk stratification score (p = 0.009 and p < 0.001) with a better survival rate in Reversion of SLE-PAH (p = 0.047). This is the first study that identified that more than one third of SLE-PAH had a complete reversion of PAH after IS therapy with a significant impact on their survival. These findings strongly support the notion of an underlying inflammatory etiology of this condition, which reinforces the use of immunosuppressive treatment for all SLE patients at PAH onset.

Magnetic resonance imaging of pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension is a rare but serious disease in children with potentially poor prognosis in the long term. Direct measurement of increased pressure in the pulmonary circulation requires right-heart catheterisation. Echocardiography is the imaging modality commonly used for suggesting the presence of pulmonary hypertension and estimating its severity. Recognition of structural and haemodynamic signs of increased pulmonary arterial pressure and pressure overload of the right ventricle at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging may contribute to the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension and management of these patients. In this article, the structural, functional, and haemodynamic cardiovascular MR findings of paediatric pulmonary hypertension are reviewed. Typical diagnostic MR scenarios in children with suspected pulmonary hypertension or in children with disease associated with pulmonary hypertension are presented and discussed.

Abstract 4127071: Pulmonary Artery Catheter Utilization in Cardiogenic Shock: Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes

Background: The pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) is used for hemodynamic monitoring, but its impact on patient outcomes, especially in cardiogenic shock (CS), is controversial. Several studies have shown no significant benefits and noted complications, leading to a decline in PAC use. However, PAC use appears to have increased recently in guiding management decisions in CS. Our study aims to assess the clinical characteristics and outcomes of CS patients receiving PACs versus not. Methods: We included patients with CS admitted to a tertiary academic medical center between May 2015 and December 2023. Variables were compared using Kruskal-Wallis, chi-squared, and Fisher's exact tests. Hemodynamic parameters were collected from either right heart catheterization or from a PAC. Endpoints included native heart survival to discharge, durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, heart transplant (HTx), and 30-day and 1-year survival from discharge. Results: The study group consisted of 742 patients with CS. Of these, 385 (52%) received a PAC and 357 (48%) did not. The baseline characteristics of the two groups are shown in Table 1A . PAC patients had more severe shock, worse hemodynamics, and higher rates of temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS) use. Hemodynamic measurements at shock onset differed, with PAC patients having higher right atrial pressures and lower cardiac index by Fick. Clinical outcomes and MCS related complications are shown in Table 1B. There was no significant difference in native heart survival at discharge, but HTx and durable LVAD implantation was higher in the PAC group. PAC placement was associated with longer hospital stays and more MCS related complications, including bleeding and hemolysis. The 30-day survival rate was similar between groups, and 1-year survival was marginally higher in the PAC group. Conclusion: PAC patients exhibited more severe clinical characteristics, longer hospital stays, higher rates of temporary MCS use and complications, durable LVAD implantation, and HTx. Short-term survival rates were similar, but 1-year survival was slightly better for PAC patients. Further studies are needed to provide clearer insights into PAC use in CS.

Abstract 4119078: Adjunctive pulmonary artery catheter for patients with cardiogenic shock treated with impella: a meta-analysis

Introduction: The efficacy and safety of use and impact of pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) treated with Impella remains unclear. The use of PAC in conjunction with Impella for patients with CS might be associated with improved clinical outcomes and increased safety compared to the use of Impella alone. We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing Impella with versus without PAC for patients with CS. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for studies comparing PAC use in patients with CS treated with Impella. We pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) applying random-effects model. We used R version 4.3.2 for statistical analyses. Results: We included two observational studies comprising 11,463 patients, of whom 6,058 (53%) had PAC. Compared with no PAC, the use of PAC was associated with a significantly lower in short-term mortality rates (37% vs. 42%; OR 0.83; 95% CI 0.77-0.90; p&lt;0.01; Figure 1A). There was no significant difference in the incidence of arrhythmias 59% vs. 63%; OR 1.14; 95% CI 0.92-1.41 p=0.44; Figure 1B) or renal complications between groups (47% vs. 50%; OR 1.08; 95% CI 1.00-1.17; p=0.06; Figure 1C). Conclusions: In patients with CS, adjunctive PAC to Impella is associated with lower mortality rates, but no significant difference in arrhythmias and renal complications. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to further validate this results.

Abstract 4143250: Individualized Interactomes from Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Biopsies Predict Therapeutic Response: an In Silico Clinical Study

Introduction: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a highly morbid cardiopulmonary disease characterized by substantial pathobiological and clinical heterogeneity, which is believed to underlie variable treatment-response observed in clinical trials and at point-of-care during real-world practice. Utilizing patient-specific pathogenetic information to inform drug selection for use in clinical practice is expected to improve clinical efficacy of PAH drugs, but such strategies are currently lacking. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 25 PAH patients (32 samples, receiving PAH therapies) undergoing right heart catheterization (RHC) for the routine clinical assessment of dyspnea at Rhode Island Hospital (Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University) , along with 3 healthy controls. A minimally invasive "cell biopsy" approach was used to collect Pulmonary Arterial Endothelial Cells (PAECs) from the tips of pulmonary artery catheters. Transcriptomic RNA-seq was performed on mRNA isolated from cell passage 3 or 4 for all samples. We deployed an innovative network medicine method to construct sample-specific interactomes from the transcriptomic data and human protein-protein interactome. The individualized interactomes captured patient-specific molecular features, which could then be used to predict therapeutic response in PAH patients. Results: The individualized interactomes have a range of 5276 [4900, 7263] nodes and 7204 [6606, 12992] edges. We observed that an increase in 6MWD from baseline that was sustained at 12 months following treatment initiation was associated with higher fraction of drug targets in the individualized interactomes. By contrast, such a positive association was not observed in comparator drugs. Similarly, we observed a transition in BNP levels from elevated at baseline to within the normal range at 12 months that corresponded to an absolute decrease of ~250 pg/mL. Higher fraction of drug targets in the individualized interactomes was also associated with a significant improvement in REVEAL 2.0 Risk score at 6 months (p=0.004) and 12 months (p&lt; 0.001). Conclusions: "Cell biopsies" taken at point-of-care for clinically indicated RHCs may be leveraged to predict therapeutic response and inform precision-based initiatives in pulmonary vascular disease through transcriptome-derived sample-specific interactomes and systems pharmacology tools.

Abstract 4137484: Clinical implications of combined midodrine and pulmonary vasodilator therapy in Portopulmonary Hypertension

Introduction: Portopulmonary hypertension (POPH) and associated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) elevation is seen in the context of underlying portal hypertension and liver disease. In the systemic circulation, liver cirrhosis can cause inappropriate splanchnic and systemic vasodilation with decreased systemic vascular resistance (SVR). Midodrine is used to maintain blood pressure in the setting of low SVR. Pulmonary vasodilators have systemic vasodilatory effects; the implications of combined midodrine and pulmonary vasodilator use in POPH are unanswered questions. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that SVR would decrease over time in patients with POPH started on pulmonary vasodilators, and that use of midodrine (as a surrogate for depressed SVR), may be associated with increased risk of mortality in patients with POPH starting pulmonary vasodilator therapy. Methods: Patients from the 3 Mayo Clinic sites (Rochester, MN; Jacksonville, FL; Scottsdale, AZ) diagnosed with POPH from 1988-2020 were included in the database. Patients met hemodynamic criteria for POPH via right heart catheterization (RHC). Hemodynamics were obtained from echocardiography and RHC at initial and subsequent visits. The hazard ratio for risk of death was estimated using Cox proportional hazards method. SVR was calculated using mean arterial pressure and cardiac output. Results: Analysis included 147 POPH patients, 34 (23%) on midodrine and 113 (77%) not requiring midodrine. There were 116 patients with longitudinal SVR data. The mean initial SVR was 1224 Dyne sec cm-5 and decreased 251 Dyne sec cm-5 [95% CI -337 to -165 251 Dyne sec cm-5, p&lt;0.0001] with no difference between midodrine groups (p=0.57). Patients in the midodrine POPH group had an increased risk of mortality compared to those without midodrine use (HR 1.51, 95% CI: 1.02-2.21, p=0.0371). Conclusions: Patients with POPH starting pulmonary vasodilator have a reduction in SVR related to vasodilator therapy. Midodrine use with pulmonary vasodilator therapy is associated with increased mortality in the POPH population. Further study of the safety of combined midodrine and pulmonary vasodilator use in POPH is needed along with exploration of more selective pulmonary vasodilators.

Impact of the 2022 ESC/ERS revised hemodynamic definition on the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension

Objectives: In the 2022 European Society of Cardiology/European Respiratory Society (ESC/ERS) guidelines, the hemodynamic definition of pulmonary hypertension (PH) was revised to mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP)>20 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) at rest. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the revised hemodynamic definition on the diagnosis of PH. Methods: Patients with dyspnea or highly suspected PH who underwent right heart catheterization (RHC) in Beijing Anzhen hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University from September 2021 to October 2022 were enrolled retrospectively. According to resting hemodynamics, the patients were divided into 3 groups: no-PH (mPAP≤20 mmHg) group, low-pressure PH (20 mmHg<mPAP<25 mmHg) group and high-pressure PH (mPAP≥25 mmHg) group. The diagnosis and classification of PH and the hemodynamic parameters in different groups were compared before and after the revision of diagnostic criteria. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of maximum of mPAP (mPAPmax) and mPAP/cardiac output (CO) slope of multi-point in PH. Results: A total of 117 patients were included for analysis, the age was (53.7±17.5) years, 37 (31.6%) patients were male. According to the 2022 ESC/ERS definition, 99 patients were diagnosed as PH, including 8 patients (6.8%) in the low-pressure PH group and 91 patients (77.8%) in the high-pressure PH group. There were 18 patients (15.4%) in the non-PH group. Comparing to the 2015 ESC/ERS definition, 8 patients were newly diagnosed as PH. Echocardiography indexes pulmonary systolic pressure (sPAP) [(57.6±7.3) vs (38.5±13.6) mmHg], max tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRVmax) [(360.4±28.9) vs (271.4±52.2) cm/s] and RHC index mPAP [(22.2±1.3) vs (16.1±2.6) mmHg] in low-pressure PH group were higher than those in no-PH group (all P<0.05). However, further analysis of hemodynamics during exercise showed mPAPmax [(42.1±5.6) vs (35.6±4.7) mmHg, P=0.006] and mPAP/CO slope of multi-point [(4.9±1.3) vs (3.6±1.1) mmHg·L-1·min-1,P=0.024] in low-pressure PH group were higher than those in no-PH group. The ROC curve cut-off value of mPAPmax for the diagnosis of PH was 39 mmHg, with a sensitivity of 75.0%, a specificity of 76.5%, and the area under the curve (AUC) and 95%CI is 0.816 (0.638-0.994). The ROC curve cut-off value of mPAP/CO slope of multi-point for the diagnosis of PH was 4.44 mmHg·L-1·min-1,with a sensitivity of 75.0%, a specificity of 76.5%, and an AUC (95%CI) of 0.794 (0.606-0.983). Conclusion: After the revision of the hemodynamic definition of PH in the 2022 ESC/ERS guidelines, more PH patients with pulmonary vascular disease are detected, thereby facilitating early diagnosis and treatment.

Abstract 4138252: Association between Pressure-Adjusted Heart Rate and Mortality in Cardiogenic Shock

Introduction: Among patients with cardiogenic shock (CS), high right atrial pressure (RAP) and low mean arterial pressure (MAP) are associated with in-hospital mortality. Pressure-adjusted heart rate (PAHR), defined as heart rate * RAP-to-MAP ratio (HR * [RAP/MAP]), integrates these parameters and has been used to identify cardiovascular dysfunction in critical illness. Higher PAHR values associate with higher surgical ICU mortality, but the prognostic significance of PAHR has not been assessed in cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) patients with CS. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that higher PAHR values are associated with higher risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with CS. Methods: The Critical Care Cardiology Trials Network (CCCTN) is a multinational registry of CICUs coordinated by the TIMI Study Group. Among CS admissions (2018-2023) undergoing invasive hemodynamic assessment within 24h of CICU admission, we calculated PAHR (in bpm) and assessed its relationship with in-hospital mortality. Patients on temporary mechanical circulatory support were excluded. Odds ratios were adjusted for age, sex, vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS), SCAI stage, and preceding cardiac arrest. Subgroup analyses stratifying by CS subtype were performed. Results: Among the 1411 CS admissions in the analysis cohort (mean age 61 years, 31% women), 18% had AMI-CS, 75% had HF-CS, and 7% had secondary CS. At the time of assessment (median 1.4h after CICU admission), 75% were on vasoactive support (median VIS 3.8). Median HR was 92 (Q1-Q3 77-109) bpm, RAP 15 (Q1-Q3 10-19) mmHg, MAP 75 (Q1-Q3 67-87) mmHg, and PAHR 17 (Q1-Q3 11-24) bpm. A stepwise gradient of higher in-hospital mortality with increasing PAHR values (p-trend &lt;0.001; Fig ) was observed. In adjusted models, a higher PAHR was associated with higher in-hospital mortality (aOR per 10-bpm, 1.35 [95% CI, 1.15-1.58]), and had stronger prognostic associations with mortality than its individual hemodynamic components (Fig) . Conclusion: Higher PAHR is strongly associated with in-hospital mortality in CS patients. PAHR, a simple parameter which is readily calculable without needing a pulmonary artery catheter, may aid in identifying CS patients at higher risk of death.

Abstract 4148085: Transfer to ‘Hub’ Hospitals and Outcomes in Cardiogenic Shock

Introduction: Patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) have high mortality. Many CS patients present to non-tertiary care centers. Limited data exist on outcomes for patients transferred to “hub” CS centers for both acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and non-AMI etiologies. This study sought to compare the characteristics and outcomes of transferred CS patients compared to patients presenting to a hub center. Methodology: Adults (≥18 years) with a primary or secondary diagnosis of CS were identified from the National Readmissions Database (2016-2020) and stratified by transfer status. Overlap propensity score (PS) weighting was performed to assess the association between in-hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS) and transfer status. Results: Of 314,098 CS patients (AMICS 27%, non-AMICS 73%), 30,630 (9.8%) were transferred. Compared to non-transferred patients, transferred patients were on average younger (65 [interquartile range {IQR} 55-73] vs. 68 [IQR 58-77] years), more likely to be female (34% vs. 37%), less frequently with Medicare as primary payor (55% vs. 62%), and with higher comorbidity (Elixhauser index 8 [IQR 6-9] vs. 6 [IQR 5-8]) (all p &lt;0.001). Transferred patients had higher rates of respiratory failure (70% vs. 64%), renal failure (71% vs. 60%), hepatic failure (25% vs. 17%), bleeding complications (28% vs. 17%), and arrhythmias (59% vs. 52%) (all p &lt;0.001). Transferred patients were also more likely to undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (22% vs. 19%), coronary artery bypass grafting (13% vs. 8%), pulmonary artery catheter insertion (36% vs.16%), placement of intra-aortic balloon pump (25% vs.13%), percutaneous left ventricular assist device (13% vs. 7%), and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (7% vs. 2%), receive invasive mechanical ventilation (3% vs. 2%), and undergo hemodialysis (17% vs. 11%) (all p &lt;0.001). In-hospital mortality was significantly lower in transferred patients – 39% vs. 47.1%; unadjusted odds ratio 0.71 (95% confidence interval 0.70-0.73); adjusted PS weighting odds ratio 0.73 (95% confidence interval 0.71-0.76), p &lt;0.001. Transferred patients had a longer median LOS (13 [IQR 7-22] vs. 6 [IQR 3-11] days, p &lt;0.001). Conclusion: Transferred CS patients had higher use of cardiovascular procedures and organ support therapies and lower in-hospital mortality suggesting patients were appropriately selected for transfer.

A prediction model of echocardiographic variables to screen for potentially correctable shunts in adult ASD-PAH patients.

Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a prevalent congenital heart condition in adults that leads to pulmonary hypertension (PAH) and right heart failure if left untreated. During a routine follow-up of adult ASD-PAH patients, the suitability of shunt closure depends on the invasive right heart catheterization (RHC).Nevertheless, performing RHC at every follow-up is impractical and may be harmful. The present retrospective cross-sectional study was designed to investigate which echocardiographic variables are related to pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in adult ASD-PAH patients and proposed a model using these variables to screen for patients with a correctable shunt. A total of 530 adult ASD-PAH patients with pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) of ≥60 mmHg measured using transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) were included in the study. All RHCs were performed within 3 months after TTE. The correctable shunt was defined as PVR ≤3 wood units (WU). Multivariate regressions were performed utilizing echocardiographic variables. A scoring system was constructed based on the predictors of PVR ≤3 WU using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The scoring system was then examined using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. In addition, clinical utility of the model was determined based on decision curve analysis and a calibration curve was used to evaluate model conformity. Estimated pulmonary arterial systolic pressure, velocity through the pulmonary valve, tricuspid annulus early diastolic velocity, and maximum defect dimension were identified as independent predictors. The area under the ROC curve of the predictive value in the model was 0.905 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.878-0.931, sensitivity: 84.3%, specificity: 83.6%]. The net benefit of the model was notable in terms of a wide-range probability threshold in decision curve analysis, indicating that the prediction model had good clinical applicability. The model's calibration curve was close to an ideal diagonal line, showing good predictive accuracy between the actual and predictive probabilities. The study model was demonstrated to be valuable in predicting adult ASD-PAH patients with a correctable shunt, which may help clinicians to make appropriate treatment decision for follow-up patients.

Pulmonary gas exchange in relation to exercise pulmonary hypertension in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Exercise pulmonary hypertension (ePH), defined as a mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP)/cardiac output (Qc) slope >3 WU during exercise, is common in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, the pulmonary gas exchange-related effects of an exaggerated ePH (EePH) response are not well-defined, especially in relation to dyspnea on exertion (DOE) and exercise intolerance. 48 HFpEF patients underwent invasive (pulmonary and radial artery catheters) constant-load (20W) and maximal incremental cycle testing. Hemodynamic measurements (mPAP and Qc), arterial blood and expired gases, and ratings of breathlessness (RPB, Borg 0-10) were obtained. The mPAP/Qc slope was calculated from rest-to-20W. Those with a mPAP/Qc slope >4.2 (median) were classified as HFpEF+EePH (n=24) and those with a mPAP/Qc slope <4.2 were classified as HFpEF (without EePH) (n=24). The A-aDO2, VD/VT (Bohr equation), and the VE/VCO2 slope (from rest-to-20W) were calculated. PaO2 was lower (p=0.03), and VD/VT was higher (p=0.03) at peak exercise in HFpEF+EePH compared with HFpEF. A-aDO2 was similar at peak exercise between groups (p=0.14); however, HFpEF+EePH achieved the peak A-aDO2 at a lower peak work rate (p<0.01). The VE/VCO2 slope was higher in HFpEF+EePH compared with HFpEF (p=0.01). RPB was ≥1-unit higher at 20W and VO2peak was lower (p<0.01) in HFpEF+EePH compared with HFpEF. These data suggest that EePH contributes to pulmonary gas exchange impairments during exercise by causing a V/Q mismatch that provokes both ventilatory inefficiency and hypoxemia, both of which seem to contribute to DOE and exercise intolerance in patients with HFpEF.