Left Ventricular Lead Placement Guided by Reduction in QRS Area

Background: Reduction in QRS area after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is associated with improved long-term clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the reduction in QRS area is associated with hemodynamic improvement by pacing different LV sites and can be used to guide LV lead placement. Methods: Patients with a class Ia/IIa CRT indication were prospectively included from three hospitals. Acute hemodynamic response was assessed as the relative change in maximum rate of rise of left ventricular (LV) pressure (%∆LVdP/dtmax). Change in QRS area (∆QRS area), in QRS duration (∆QRS duration), and %∆LVdP/dtmax were studied in relation to different LV pacing locations within a patient. Results: Data from 52 patients paced at 188 different LV pacing sites were investigated. Lateral LV pacing resulted in a larger %∆LVdP/dtmax than anterior or posterior pacing (p = 0.0007). A similar trend was found for ∆QRS area (p = 0.001) but not for ∆QRS duration (p = 0.23). Pacing from the proximal electrode pair resulted in a larger %∆LVdP/dtmax (p = 0.004), and ∆QRS area (p = 0.003) but not ∆QRS duration (p = 0.77). Within patients, correlation between ∆QRS area and %∆LVdP/dtmax was 0.76 (median, IQR 0.35; 0,89). Conclusion: Within patients, ∆QRS area is associated with %∆LVdP/dtmax at different LV pacing locations. Therefore, QRS area, which is an easily, noninvasively obtainable and objective parameter, may be useful to guide LV lead placement in CRT.

Persistent hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy after repair of native coarctation of aorta in adults

Background There are limited data about outcomes after repair of native coarctation of aorta (COA) in adulthood. The purpose of this study was to describe the procedural outcomes, hemodynamic improvement, regression of LV hypertrophy and cardiovascular events in adults undergoing repair of native COA. Methods The primary outcomes were procedural complications, re-interventions, and hemodynamic improvement (residual COA gradient <20 mmHg) after COA repair. The secondary outcomes were improvement in the severity of hypertension, regression of left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and incidence of cardiovascular events (atrial fibrillation, heart failure hospitalization, and cardiovascular death) after COA repair. Clinical and imaging indices were assessed pre-intervention, and at 1-year (Y1) and 3-years (Y3) post-intervention. Results A total of 172 patients (age 38 [27–48]) underwent COA repair (surgical 161; transcatheter 11). There were no procedural deaths, and all patients had residual COA gradient <20 mmHg. One patients that received transcatheter stent therapy required re-dilation of stent at 12 months post-intervention. There as a reduction in the prevalence of patients requiring anti-hypertensive therapy from 73% (pre-intervention) to 59% and 64% at Y1 and Y3 respectively. However, 72% and 69% of the patients still had systolic blood pressure >130 mmHg (stage 1 and 2 hypertension) at Y1 and Y3 respectively. As compared to patients without hypertension at Y1, patients with stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension had less robust LVMI regression (% change in LVMI 12±5% vs 9±6% vs 5±3%, p<0.001). Hypertension (HR 1.16, 1.05–1.27) and LVMI regression (HR 0.86, 0.81–0.90) were independently associated with cardiovascular events. Conclusions Persistent hypertension was common after repair of native COA in adults. Hypertension (including stage 1 hypertension) was associated with suboptimal regression of LVMI and cardiovascular events. These results are concerning, and highlight the importance of early COA diagnosis and repair, and optimal medical therapy for hypertension after COA repair. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

EXPRESS: BMPR2 mutations and response to inhaled or parenteral prostanoids. A case series.

Whether mutations in the BMPR2 gene may influence the response to PAH specific therapies has not been investigated. In 13 idiopatic, heritable or anorexigen-associated PAH patients in whom treatment escalation was performed adding a prostanoid, a greater hemodynamic improvement was observed in BMPR2 negative than in BMPR2 positive patients.

Effect of Hemadsorption in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19 (CYTOCOV-19): A Prospective Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

Purpose: Immunomodulatory therapies have shown beneficial effects in patients with severe COVID-19. Patients with hypercytokinemia might benefit from removal of inflammatory mediators via hemadsorption.Methods: Single-center prospective randomized trial at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (Germany). Patients with confirmed COVID-19, refractory shock (norepinephrine ≥0.2 μg/kg/min to maintain a mean arterial pressure ≥ 65 mmHg), IL-6≥500 ng/l and an indication for renal replacement therapy (RRT) or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) were included. Patients received either hemadsorption therapy (HT) or standard medical therapy (SMT). For HT, a CytoSorb® adsorber was used for up to 5 days and was replaced every 18–24 hours. The primary endpoint was sustained hemodynamic improvement (norepinephrine ≤0.05 µg/kg/min≥24h). Secondary endpoints included 28-day mortality, SOFA, and reduction of IL-6, PCT, and MR-proADM. Results: Of 242 screened patients, 24 were randomized and assigned to either HT (N=12) or SMT (N=12). Both groups had similar severity as assessed by SAPS II (median 75 points HT group vs. 79 SMT group, p=0.590) and SOFA (17 vs. 16, p=0.551). At randomization, 22 (92%) patients were on RRT and 11 (46%) had vv-ECMO. Median IL-6 levels were 2269 (IQR 948–3679) and 3747 (1301–5415) ng/l in the HT and SMT group at baseline, respectively (p=0.378). Serum IL-6 reduction in the first 24h of treatment compared between both groups was 83% vs. 46% (p=0.235). Shock resolution (primary endpoint) was reached in 33% (4/12) vs. 17% (2/12) in the HT and SMT group, respectively (p=0.640). 28-day mortality was 58% (7/12) in the HT compared to 67% (8/12) in the SMT group (p=1.0).Conclusion: HT was associated with a non-significant trend towards clinical improvement within the intervention period including reduction of IL-6 levels and shock resolution. In selected patients, HT might therefore be an option for stabilization and bridge to transfer and decision. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04344080, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04344080, trial registration date 04/14/2020)]

Exercise tolerance and quality of life in hemodynamically partially improved patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension treated with balloon pulmonary angioplasty

The efficacy of extensive balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) beyond hemodynamic improvement in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) patients has been verified. However, the relationship between extensive BPA in CTEPH patients after partial hemodynamic improvement and exercise tolerance or quality of life (QOL) remains unclear. We prospectively enrolled 22 CTEPH patients (66±10 years, females: 59%) when their mean pulmonary artery pressure initially decreased to <30 mmHg during BPA sessions. Hemodynamic and echocardiographic data, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and QOL scores using the 36-item short form questionnaire (SF-36) were evaluated at enrollment (entry), just after the final BPA session (finish), and at the 6-month follow-up (follow-up). We analyzed whether extensive BPA improves exercise capacity and QOL scores over time. Moreover, the clinical characteristics leading to improvement were elucidated. The peak oxygen uptake (VO2) showed significant improvement at entry, finish, and follow-up (17.3±5.5, 18.4±5.9, and 18.9±5.3 mL/kg/min, respectively; P<0.001). Regarding the QOL, the physical component summary (PCS) scores significantly improved (32±11, 38±13, and 43±13, respectively; P<0.001), but the mental component summary scores remained unchanged. Linear regression analysis revealed that age and a low peak VO2 at entry were predictors of improvement in peak VO2, while low PCS scores and low TAPSE at entry were predictors of improvement in PCS scores. In conclusion, extensive BPA led to improved exercise tolerance and physical QOL scores, even in CTEPH patients with partially improved hemodynamics.

Persistent Hypertension and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy After Repair of Native Coarctation of Aorta in Adults

The purpose of this study was to describe procedural outcomes, hemodynamic improvement, regression of left ventricular (LV) mass hypertrophy, and cardiovascular. The primary outcomes were procedural complications, reinterventions, and hemodynamic improvement after coarctation of aorta (COA) repair. The secondary outcomes were improvement in the severity of hypertension, regression of LV mass index, and incidence of cardiovascular events (atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, heart failure hospitalization, and cardiovascular death) after COA repair. Secondary outcomes were assessed only in patients with isolated COA who had clinical and imaging follow-up at 1 year and 3 years postintervention. Of 172 patients that underwent COA repair (surgical 161; transcatheter 11), there were no procedural deaths, and all patients had residual COA gradient <20 mm Hg. Of 128 patients that met criteria for secondary outcomes assessment, 39 (36%) had a reduction in the intensity of antihypertension therapy, and cardiovascular events occurred in 16 (13%) patients. There was no significant reduction in the overall prevalence of hypertension (stage 1 and stage 2) over time (78% versus 70% versus 73%, P =0.4 at baseline, 1 year and 3 years). Postintervention hypertension (both stage 1 and 2) were independent risk factors for suboptimal left ventricular mass index regression and cardiovascular events. Persistent hypertension was common after repair of native COA in adults and was associated with suboptimal left ventricular mass index regression and cardiovascular events. These results suggest that optimal blood pressure control with medical therapy after COA repair may result in improved clinical outcomes.

Reduction in QRS area correlates with hemodynamic response during CRT-device implantation

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Previous studies have shown that reduction in QRS area after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is associated with improved long-term clinical outcome. Purpose To investigate whether reduction in QRS area is associated with hemodynamic improvement and whether QRS area reduction could be used for CRT optimization, with respect to LV lead position and device programming in individual patients. Methods A total of 78 patients with indication for CRT were prospectively included in 4 hospitals. QRS area was calculated from vectorcardiograms that were synthesized from 12-lead ECG’s. Acute hemodynamic response was assessed invasively as the maximum rate of percentual left ventricular (LV) pressure (%LVdP/dtmax) rise. QRS area reduction was studied in relation to LV-lead position (n = 26), proximal versus distal LV lead position (n = 27), and VV-delay (n = 25). Results Combining all measurements in all patients showed a significant correlation between QRS area reduction and %LVdP/dTmax increase (R = 0.49, P &lt; 0.0001). Also, when one fixed routine implantation setting was used for each patient (lateral lead position, distal, AV-delay 120-150ms, VV-delay 0ms) this correlation was present (R = 0.45, p &lt; 0.0001, figure panel A). In 21 patients in which at least 3 lead positions were available there was also a significant correlation between QRS area reduction and %LVdP/dtmax increase (average R = 0.69, p &lt; 0.0001, panel B). For VV-delay, 25 other patients as well showed a significant correlation (average R = 0.53, p &lt; 0.0001). Conclusion Within patients, QRS area reduction is associated with %LVdP/dtmax increase with various LV lead positions and VV-intervals. Therefore, QRS area, which is an easily obtainable and objective parameter, might be a promising tool for optimization of LV lead position and device programming in CRT. Abstract Figure.

Acute Hemodynamic Improvement by Thermal Vasodilation inside the Abdominal and Iliac Arterial Segments of Young Sedentary Individuals

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> To study the hemodynamic response to lower leg heating intervention (LLHI) inside the abdominal and iliac arterial segments (AIAS) of young sedentary individuals. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A Doppler measurement of blood flow was conducted for 5 young sedentary adults with LLHI. Heating durations of 0, 20, and 40 min were considered. A lumped parameter model (LPM) was used to ascertain the hemodynamic mechanism. The hemodynamics were determined via numerical approaches. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Ultrasonography revealed that the blood flow waveform shifted upwards under LLHI; in particular, the mean flow increased significantly (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05) with increasing heating duration. The LPM showed that its mechanism depends on the reduction in afterload resistance, not on the inertia of blood flow and arterial compliance. The time-averaged wall shear stress, time-averaged production rate of nitric oxide, and helicity in the external iliac arteries increased more significantly than in other segments as the heating duration increased, while the oscillation shear index (OSI) and relative residence time (RRT) in the AIAS declined with increasing heating duration. There was a more obvious helicity response in the bilateral external iliac arteries than the OSI and RRT responses. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> LLHI can effectively induce a positive hemodynamic environment in the AIAS of young sedentary individuals.