Acute Mesenteric Ischemia in Severe Coronavirus (COVID19): Cases Report of 3 Patients

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory disease with pulmonary infection, but some patients experiment gastrointestinal symptoms, in the literature only few cases of mesenteric ischemia in patients with severe COVID-19 infections have been described. Cases We present 3 cases of patient with severe COVID-19, with gastrointestinal manifestation in which bowel lesion was observed and which took benefits from bowel resections. No evidence available conclusively demonstrated a thrombotic or embolic event in our cases, therefore a precise knowledge of the mechanism of bowel lesion in COVID-19 patients is essential. Clinical managing patients with COVID-19 whom manifest gastrointestinal symptomatology should be aware of the mesenteric ischemia involvement. Conclusion In conclusion, patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may show atypical presentations, such as gastrointestinal symptoms, precise knowledge of the mechanism of bowel lesion in COVID-19 patients are essential.

Edoxaban versus Warfarin in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation at the Extremes of Body Weight: An Analysis from the ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 Trial

Background The effects of anticoagulants at extremes of body weight (BW) are not well described. The aim of this study was to analyze the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics and clinical outcomes in patients randomized to warfarin, higher dose edoxaban (HDER), and lower dose edoxaban (LDER) regimens at extremes of BW in ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48. Methods and Results We analyzed three BW groups: low BW (LBW: <5th percentile, ≤55 kg, N = 1,082), middle BW (MBW: 45th–55th percentile, 79.8–84 kg, N = 2,153), and high BW (HBW: >95th percentile, ≥120 kg, N = 1,093). In the warfarin arm, LBW patients had higher rates of stroke/systemic embolism (SSE: 6.5 vs. 4.7 in MBW vs. 1.6% in HBW, P trend < 0.001), major bleeding (MB: 9.3 vs. 7.7 vs. 6.5%, P trend = 0.08), and worse net clinical outcome of systemic embolic event, MB, or death (31.5 vs. 19.1 vs. 16.0%, P trend < 0.0001). The time-in-therapeutic range with warfarin was lowest in LBW patients (63.0 vs. 69.3 vs. 70.1% patients, P trend < 0.001). The pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile of edoxaban was consistent across BW groups. The risk of SSE was similar between HDER and warfarin for each of the three weight groups (P int = 0.52, P int-trend = 0.86). MB was reduced by LDER versus warfarin (P int = 0.061, P int-trend = 0.023), especially in LBW patients. Net clinical outcomes were improved by HDER versus warfarin (P int = 0.087, P int-trend = 0.027), especially in LBW patients. Conclusion Patients with LBW in ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 had in general a more fragile clinical status and poorer international normalized ratio control. The pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile of edoxaban was consistent across extremes of BW, resulting in similar efficacy compared with warfarin, while major or clinically relevant non-MB and net outcomes were most favorable with edoxaban as compared to warfarin in LBW patients.

5201Intra-cardiac thrombus in patients undergoing ventricular tachycardia ablation. a computed tomographic scan study

Background Embolic event is one of the complications of VT ablation. This may be due to the presence of intra-cardiac thrombus before ablation. However, there is no clear consensus on how to rule out thrombus before the procedure. Objective We sought to examine the prevalence and risk factors of intra-cardiac thrombus with cardiac computed tomographic (CT) scan in patients undergoing scar-related VT ablation. Methods In absence of contra-indication, all patients undergoing scar-related VT ablation at our institution underwent contrast-enhanced cardiac CT within one week before ablation. 324 consecutive patients (292 male, 59±16 yo) have been included in this study. The etiology was ischemic cardiomyopathy (CMP) (n=191), arrhythmogenic right ventricular CMP (ARVC) (n=37), congenital CMP (n=11) or other CMP (n=85). LVEF was <40% in 154 patients (48%). Results Intra-cardiac thrombus was diagnosed in 29 (9%) patients: in the left atrium (n=8), in the right atrium (n=1), in the left ventricle (n=15), in the right ventricle (n=3), in right and left atrium (n=1), and in left atrium and right ventricle (n=1). Moreover in 2, a bilateral pulmonary embolism was identified. The population with thrombus was older (65±12 vs 58±16 years, p=0,005), with more permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) (28% vs 8%; p=0.005). Patients with left ventricular (LV) aneurysm were at higher risk of thrombus 50% vs 3% (p<0.001). The average CHADSVASC score was similar for both groups (2,5 vs 2,1; p=0.179). After matching for age and sex, only ischemic CMP and LV aneurysm were risk factors for thrombus. Because of arrhythmic storm, ablation was performed by epicardial approach only, in 5 patients with intra-ventricular thrombus and by retroaortic approach only, in 2 patients with LAA thrombus. No embolic event occurred during these procedures. Conclusion CT scans help eliminating intra-cardiac thrombus before VT ablation procedure. A high proportion of thrombus (9%) was identified. Whereas LV thrombus should systematically be ruled out before scar related VT ablation, in patients with AF, a LAA thrombus should also be eliminated as well as RV thrombus in patients with ARVC. Acknowledgement/Funding ANR-10-IAHU-04

Aortic Pseudoaneurysm in an Unusual Site: Difficult Diagnosis by Echocardiography

A 54-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with a fever of 1 week’s duration and a distal embolic event 4 days previously in the second and third digits of her right hand. She had a history of aortic valve replacement (STj#19) 2 months earlier as well as mitral valve replacement (STj#26) and tricuspid valve repair 10 years before. Lab data showed an increased white blood cell count and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Blood culture was positive only in 1 round with Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth, which was not compatible with the patient’s good general condition. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, abdominal sonography, and computed tomography (CT) scan of the right hand were unremarkable. The patient was treated for infectious endocarditis with antibiotics for 6 weeks and then discharged. On follow-up transthoracic echocardiography, 1 month after discharge, an echo-free space in the posterolateral wall of the ascending aorta was detected. The second transesophageal echocardiography was highly suggestive of a pseudoaneurysm in the ascending aorta (Figure 1A & Video 1), which was subsequently confirmed by a CT angiography of the ascending aorta (Figure 2). For a better evaluation, aortography was done and it revealed a pseudoaneurysm in the posterolateral wall of the ascending aorta (Figure 3 & Video 2). A review of the previous transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography images demonstrated that this pseudoaneurysm had been missed because it was filled with a thrombosis (Figure 1B & Video 3). The ascending aorta was normal in aortography before the second surgical operation. It appears that the most probable scenario was thrombosis formation in an iatrogenic aortic pseudoaneurysm at an unusual site, causing such presentations. The thrombosis was resolved with meticulous anticoagulation, leading to the clarification of the pseudoaneurysm. The administration of an anticoagulant was obligatory in this patient because of the presence of 2 mechanical valves. Nevertheless, this administration could lead to catastrophic events such as a ruptured ascending aorta, so the early detection of this complication may reduce the risk to the patient and confer an appropriate treatment. We repaired our patient’s pseudoaneurysm via surgery, and she was discharged in good physical condition. The development of an aortic pseudoaneurysm is an uncommon complication of open-heart surgery, and it usually forms in the anterior wall; nonetheless, its formation in the posterior wall is rare and can be due to the deep cannulation of the ascending aorta during surgery. The presence of this complication should, therefore, be kept in mind by any cardiologist who encounters a patient with an embolic event and previous cardiac surgery.

The efficacy and safety of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease: A meta-analysis of randomized trials

Background: Patients with atrial fibrillation and concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD) are at higher risk for myocardial infarction or cardiovascular death, often require antiplatelet therapy and are therefore exposed to an increased risk of bleeding. This meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy and safety profile of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) with warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation and concomitant CAD. Materials and methods: We performed a trial-level meta-analysis of CAD subgroups from four trials of NOAC versus warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation, comparing the primary trial endpoints (efficacy: stroke or systemic embolic event; safety: International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis major bleeding) in patients with versus those without CAD, and used interaction testing to assess for treatment effect modification. Results: In total, 58,606 patients with established CAD were included in this meta-analysis. NOACs reduced the risk of stroke/systemic embolic event irrespective of presence of CAD (CAD: 0.76 (0.56–1.04); no CAD: hazard ratio 0.77 (0.56–1.06); p-INT 0.93). Similarly, there was no effect modification by presence of CAD for major bleeding (CAD: hazard ratio 0.92 (0.65–1.32), no CAD: 0.83 (0.61–1.12); p-INT 0.46) or myocardial infarction (CAD: hazard ratio 0.95 (0.62–1.44); no CAD: hazard ratio 0.95 (0.60–1.50); p-INT = 0.98). While NOACs reduced all-cause mortality in patients without CAD compared with warfarin (hazard ratio 0.85 (0.71–1.02)), there was no difference in mortality between NOACs and warfarin in the CAD group (hazard ratio 0.99 (0.82–1.20); p-INT 0.01). Conclusion: The present meta-analysis of four trials supports that NOACs are safe and at least as effective as warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation and established CAD.

Edoxaban in atrial fibrillation patients with established coronary artery disease: Insights from ENGAGE AF–TIMI 48

Background: The relative efficacy and safety profile of the oral Factor Xa inhibitor edoxaban compared with warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation and established coronary artery disease (CAD) has not been analyzed. Materials and methods: In the ENGAGE AF–TIMI 48 trial, two edoxaban regimens were compared with warfarin in 21,105 patients with atrial fibrillation and CHADS2 ⩾2. We analyzed the primary trial endpoints (efficacy: stroke or systemic embolic event, safety: International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis major bleeding) in patients with versus without CAD, and used interaction testing to assess for treatment effect modification. Results: The 4510 patients (21.4%) with known CAD were older, more likely male, on aspirin, with lower creatinine clearance and higher CHADS2 and HAS-BLED scores ( p <0.001 for each). Treatment with the higher-dose edoxaban regimen (versus warfarin) in patients with known CAD tended to have a greater reduction in stroke/systemic embolic event compared with patients without CAD (CAD: hazard ratio 0.65 (0.46–0.92) versus no CAD: hazard ratio 0.94 (0.79–1.12), p-INT 0.062) and also in myocardial infarction (CAD: hazard ratio 0.69 (0.49–0.98) versus no CAD: hazard ratio 1.24 (0.89–1.72), p-INT 0.017), while there was a similar reduction in bleeding irrespective of CAD status (hazard ratio 0.81 and 0.80, p-INT 0.97). Presence or absence of CAD did not modify the efficacy or safety profile of the lower-dose edoxaban regimen (versus warfarin). Conclusion: The reduction in ischemic events with the higher-dose edoxaban regimen versus warfarin was greater in patients with CAD, while bleeding was significantly reduced with edoxaban regardless of CAD status. The efficacy and safety profile of the lower-dose edoxaban regimen relative to warfarin was unaffected by CAD status.

An intriguing case of acute myocardial ischaemia in a patient with severe respiratory failure with veno-venous extracorporeal support

We describe a case of a young woman requiring veno-venous extracorporeal support for severe secondary respiratory failure who developed a myocardial ischaemia due to an intermittent obstruction of the right coronary sinus by a fluttering thrombus. She was medically treated with full anticoagulation regimen, needed for the veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support, without any other ischaemic or embolic event.