BACKGROUND:In transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), there is a notable "diabetes discrepancy", where worse/better/similar outcomes were all found for patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Such divergent findings pose a challenge for clinicians to accurately assess the risks for DM patients undergoing TAVR. We hypothesized the presence of chronic complications could be linked to worse post-TAVR outcomes in DM patients. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the short-term outcomes of TAVR between DM patients with chronic complications (DM-CC), those without complications (DM-NCC), and non-diabetic individuals (non-DM). METHODS:Patients who underwent TAVR were identified in National Inpatient Sample database from Q4 2015 to 2020. In-hospital post-TAVR outcomes were compared between DM-CC, DM-NCC, and non-DM. Multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for demographics, socioeconomic status, primary payer status, hospital characteristics, transfer status, admission status, comorbidities and relevant diagnoses, and access site. RESULTS:There were 22,168 DM patients (9388 DM-CC and 12,780 DM-NCC) and 36,682 non-DM patients underwent TAVR. DM-CC were found to have worse outcomes than non-DM, which included adjusted risks of cardiac, neurological, pulmonary, and renal system complications, wound complications, hemorrhage, longer length of stay (LOS), and higher hospital charges. However, compared to non-DM, DM-NCC had lower in-hospital mortality, cardiac and renal system complications, infection, and superficial wound complications, as well as shorter LOS. CONCLUSIONS:The presence of diabetic chronic complications could be a hallmark for worse short-term outcomes after TVAR, which may unravel the long-debated "diabetes discrepancy" in TAVR and provide insights into preoperative risk stratification for DM patients.

When transfemoral (TF) access is not available during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), transapical (TA)-TAVR can be performed. However, TA-TAVR is associated with significantly higher risk, and it is unclear whether it provides more benefit than surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in non-elective cases. This study aimed to compare the in-hospital outcomes of non-elective TA-TAVR and SAVR by conducting a population-based analysis using a national registry. Patients who underwent non-elective TA-TAVR and SAVR were selected from National Inpatient Sample from Q4 2015 to 2021. Exclusion criteria included age < 18 years and concomitant procedures. Demographics, socioeconomic status, comorbidities, relevant diagnosis, transfer-in status, and hospital characteristics were matched between patients who underwent TA-TAVR and SAVR using a 1:3 propensity-score matching. In-hospital outcomes were compared. There were 130 and 10,487 patients who underwent TA-TAVR and SAVR, respectively. After the propensity-score matching, all TA-TAVR patients were matched to 341 SAVR patients. TA-TAVR and SAVR patients had comparable in-hospital mortality (7.69% vs. 7.33%, p = 0.85), myocardial infarction (3.85% vs. 4.4%, p = 1.00), stroke (0.77% vs. 1.76%, p = 0.69), respiratory complications (15.38% vs. 17.6%, p = 0.68), cardiogenic shock (14.62% vs. 12.61%, p = 0.55), and pacemaker implantation (10% vs. 7.33%, p = 0.35). However, TA-TAVR patients had lower hemorrhage/hematoma (38.46% vs. 68.33%, p < 0.01), lower transfer out rate (33.08% vs. 44.87%, p = 0.02), and shorter length of stay (p = 0.04). All other in-hospital outcomes were comparable. Among eligible TAVR candidates in non-elective cases and when TF access is not available, both TA-TAVR and SAVR may be equally alternative approaches considering their comparable in-hospital outcomes. Further studies should compare the long-term outcomes between TA-TAVR and SAVR.

Abstract Individuals affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have a growing demand for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) due to heightened risk for cardiovascular diseases and extended life expectancy. However, CABG outcomes in HIV patients are not well-established, with insights only from small case series studies. This study conducted a comprehensive, population-based examination of in-hospital CABG outcomes in HIV patients. Patients underwent CABG were identified in National Inpatient Sample from Q4 2015–2020. Patients with age < 18 years and concomitant procedures were excluded. A 1:5 propensity-score matching was used to address preoperative group differences. Among patients who underwent CABG, 613 (0.36%) had HIV and were matched to 3119 out of 167,569 non-HIV patients. For selected HIV patients, CABG is relatively safe, presenting largely similar outcomes. After matching, HIV and non-HIV patients had comparable in-hospital mortality rates (2.13% vs. 1.67%, p = 0.40). Risk factors associated with mortality among HIV patients included previous CABG (aOR = 14.32, p = 0.01), chronic pulmonary disease (aOR = 8.24, p < 0.01), advanced renal failure (aOR = 7.49, p = 0.01), and peripheral vascular disease (aOR = 6.92, p = 0.01), which can be used for preoperative risk stratification. While HIV patients had higher acute kidney injury (AKI; 26.77% vs. 21.77%, p = 0.01) and infection (8.21% vs. 4.18%, p < 0.01), other complications were comparable between the groups.

There is limited data on the effect of socioeconomic status (SES) on transcatheter (TAVR) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) outcomes for aortic stenosis (AS). This study conducted a population-based analysis to assess the influence of SES on valve replacement outcomes. Patients with AS undergoing TAVR or SAVR were identified in National Inpatient Sample from Q4 2015–2020. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to compare in-hospital outcomes between patients living in neighborhoods of income at the lowest and highest quartiles. Of 613,785 AS patients, 9.77% underwent TAVR and 10.13% had SAVR. These rates decline with lower neighborhood income levels, with TAVR/SAVR ratio also declining in lower-income areas. Excluding concomitant procedures, 58,064 patients received isolated TAVR (12,355 low-income and 15,212 high-income) and 43,694 underwent isolated SAVR (10,029 low-income and 10,811 high-income). Low-income patients, in both TAVR and SAVR, were younger but had more comorbid burden. For isolated TAVR, outcomes were similar across income groups. However, for isolated SAVR, low-income patients experienced higher in-hospital mortality (aOR = 1.44, p < 0.01), pulmonary (aOR = 1.13, p = 0.01), and renal complications (aOR = 1.14, p < 0.01). They also had more transfers, longer waits for operations, and extended hospital stays. Lower-income communities had reduced access to TAVR and SAVR, with TAVR accessibility being particularly limited. When given access to TAVR, patients from lower-income neighborhoods had mostly comparable outcomes. However, patients from low-income communities faced worse outcomes in SAVR, possibly due to delays in treatment. Ensuring equitable specialized healthcare resources including expanding TAVR access in economically disadvantaged communities is crucial.

BACKGROUND:Depression has a high prevalence among patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, there is a scarcity of literature on the association between preoperative depression and CABG outcomes. This study aimed to explore the effects of preoperative major depression disorder (MDD) on in-hospital outcomes following CABG. METHODS:Patients who underwent CABG were identified in National Inpatient Sample from the last quarter of 2015 to 2020. Patients were stratified based on the diagnosis of MDD, followed by a 1:3 propensity-score matching of demographics, socioeconomic status, comorbidities, relevant diagnosis, admission status, and hospital characteristics between MDD and non-MDD patients. In-hospital perioperative outcomes, total length of stay (LOS), time from admission to operation, and total hospital charge were compared. RESULTS:There were 908 patients with MDD and 170,830 patients without MDD who underwent CABG. After propensity-score matching, 2,796 non-MDD were matched with all 908 MDD patients. While MDD patients have no difference in-hospital mortality or MACE, they had higher hemorrhage/hematoma (65.97 % vs 60.17 %, p < 0.01) and pacemaker implantation (2.53 % vs 1.43 %, p = 0.04). MDD patients had longer time from admission to operation (3.2 ± 0.1 vs 2.6 ± 0.2 days, p < 0.01), longer total LOS (12.6 ± 0.5 vs 10.5 ± 0.2 days, p < 0.01), and higher total hospital charge (272,255.0 ± 8930.1 vs 230,133.0 ± 3861.1 US dollars, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION:Potential barriers could exist for MDD patients seeking access to CABG. Preoperative MDD is a risk factor for complications following CABG including hemorrhage/hematoma and pacemaker implantation. Enhanced attention to coagulation function is advisable for MDD patients prior to CABG.

Background Disparities have been shown in the outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in racial minorities. Although Native Americans are known to have a higher risk for cardiovascular diseases, the current literature on CABG outcomes for Native Americans remains notably limited, probably due to their limited population size. Thus, this study aimed to investigate racial disparities in CABG outcomes among Native Americans. Methods Patients who underwent CABG were identified in National Inpatient Sample database from last quarter of 2015 to 2020. A 1:2 propensity score matching was conducted between Native Americans and Caucasians to address preoperative differences in demographics, socioeconomic status, comorbidity, and hospital characteristics. In-hospital outcomes, length of stay (LOS), time from admission to operation, and total hospital charge were compared. Results There were 905 (0.54%) Native Americans and 125,983 (74.91%) Caucasians, where 1,838 Caucasians were matched to all the Native Americans. The in-hospital mortality rate was elevated in Native Americans but was not statistically different (2.87% vs 2.23%, p=0.43). However, Native Americans had a higher risk of cardiogenic shock (8.51% vs 6.2%, p=0.03). There was no difference in time from admission to operation (2.55 ± 0.11 vs 2.73 ± 0.08 days, p=0.20), LOS (9.82 ± 0.23 vs 9.95 ± 0.20 days, p=0.65), or the total hospital charge between the two groups (205,594 ± 5192.8 vs 213,961± 4150.9 US dollars, p=0.20). Conclusion Native Americans had a significantly higher risk of cardiogenic shock after CABG. However, in-house mortality and other parameters were not affected. These disparities highlight challenges that Native Americans encounter and emphasize the need for targeted interventions to ensure health equity.

BACKGROUND:Racial disparities in aortic valve replacement outcomes have been established. However, the current literature lacks comprehensive studies that examine the outcomes for Native Americans, probably due to their limited population size. This study aimed to investigate whether disparities in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) also exist for outcomes among Native Americans. METHODS:Patients who underwent SAVR and TAVR were identified in National Inpatient Sample from the last quarter of 2015 to 2020. A 1:5 propensity score matching was conducted between Native Americans and Caucasians. In-hospital perioperative outcomes, length of stay, wait from admission to operation, and total hospital charge, were compared. RESULTS:In TAVR, 51,394 (84.41 %) were Caucasians and 171 (0.28 %) were Native Americans. In SAVR, there were 50,080 (78.52 %) Caucasians and 279 (0.44 %) Native Americans. After propensity matching, no significant difference was found in post-TAVR outcomes between Native Americans and Caucasians. However, Native Americans have a higher risk of neurological complications (2.88 % vs 0.79 %, p < 0.01) with stroke being the primary contributor (2.52 % vs 0.5 %, p < 0.01), as well as a higher incidence of venous thromboembolism (1.8 % vs 0.57 %, p < 0.05) after SAVR. CONCLUSIONS:This study is the first to examine aortic valve replacement outcomes in Native Americans. Native Americans were found to be more likely to undergo SAVR than TAVR. Moreover, Native Americans were found to have five times higher stroke and three times higher VTE after SAVR. These disparities faced by Native Americans underscore the need for increased attention and targeted actions to guarantee health equity.

Coronary artery disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. There has been a myriad of advancements in the field of cardiovascular imaging to aid in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of coronary artery disease. The application of artificial intelligence in medicine, particularly in cardiovascular medicine has erupted in the past decade. This article serves to highlight the highest yield articles within cardiovascular imaging with an emphasis on coronary CT angiography methods for % stenosis evaluation and atherosclerosis quantification for the general cardiologist. The paper finally discusses the evolving paradigm of implementation of artificial intelligence in real world practice.

Introduction: Intermediate-term outcomes of cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in low to intermediate risk acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is uncertain. There is scarce data on associated plaque findings of atherosclerosis imaging-quantitative computed tomography (AI-QCT) guided by artificial intelligence in these patients

BACKGROUND. Deep learning frameworks have been applied to interpretation of coronary CTA performed for coronary artery disease (CAD) evaluation. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of our study was to compare the diagnostic performance of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) and coronary CTA with artificial intelligence quantitative CT (AI-QCT) interpretation for detection of obstructive CAD on invasive angiography and to assess the downstream impact of including coronary CTA with AI-QCT in diagnostic algorithms. METHODS. This study entailed a retrospective post hoc analysis of the derivation cohort of the prospective 23-center Computed Tomographic Evaluation of Atherosclerotic Determinants of Myocardial Ischemia (CREDENCE) trial. The study included 301 patients (88 women and 213 men; mean age, 64.4 +/- 10.2 [SD] years) recruited from May 2014 to May 2017 with stable symptoms of myocardial ischemia referred for nonemergent invasive angiography. Patients underwent coronary CTA and MPI before angiography with quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) measurements and fractional flow reserve (FFR). CTA examinations were analyzed using an FDA-cleared cloud-based software platform that performs AI-QCT for stenosis determination. Diagnostic performance was evaluated. Diagnostic algorithms were compared. RESULTS. Among 102 patients with no ischemia on MPI, AI-QCT identified obstructive (>= 50%) stenosis in 54% of patients, including severe (>= 70%) stenosis in 20%. Among 199 patients with ischemia on MPI, AI-QCT identified nonobstructive (1-49%) stenosis in 23%. AI-QCT had significantly higher AUC (all p<.001) than MPI for predicting >= 50% stenosis by QCA (0.88 vs 0.66), >= 70% stenosis by QCA (0.92 vs 0.81), and FFR<0.80 (0.90 vs 0.71). An AI-QCT result of >= 50% stenosis and ischemia on stress MPI had sensitivity of 95% versus 74% and specificity of 63% versus 43% for detecting >= 50% stenosis by QCA measurement. Compared with performing MPI in all patients and those showing ischemia undergoing invasive angiography, a scenario of performing coronary CTA with AI-QCT in all patients and those showing >= 70% stenosis undergoing invasive angiography would reduce invasive angiography utilization by 39%; a scenario of performing MPI in all patients and those showing ischemia undergoing coronary CTA with AI-QCT and those with >= 70% stenosis on AI-QCT undergoing invasive angiography would reduce invasive angiography utilization by 49%. CONCLUSION. Coronary CTA with AI-QCT had higher diagnostic performance than MPI for detecting obstructive CAD. CLINICAL IMPACT. A diagnostic algorithm incorporating AI-QCT could substantially reduce unnecessary downstream invasive testing and costs.

Background: Cholesterol treatment is central to cardiovascular risk reduction, but disparities in management may exist. Our hypothesis is that demographic factors may predict guideline adherence. Methods: This retrospective cohort analysis included patients seen at an urban academic medical center between November 2018 to March 2021. Patient and provider demographics, cardiovascular comorbidities, and lab values were examined to determine if provider adherence to the 2018 AHA/ACC cholesterol guidelines demonstrated bias by age, gender, or race. Logistic models were estimated via generalized estimating equations to account for clustering by patient and provider and used to calculate odds ratios (OR), confidence intervals, and p-values. Results: 24,733 lipid panels were obtained from patients with mean age 57.8 ± 15.6, BMI 29.4 ± 6.8, 56.9% female, 44.2% White, 42.1% Black, 6.8% Asian, 6.8% Other, 26.5% tobacco use, 12.7% ASCVD, 51.1% hypertension, 21.1% diabetes. Significant adjusted OR for appropriate treatment was 0.91 (p<0.001) for each 1-year increase in age, 2.2 (p<0.001) for female, 0.88 (p=0.02) for Black relative to White, 1.36 (p=0.003) for Asian relative to White, 0.73 (p<0.001) for BMI>40 relative to BMI<25. Providers had mean age 51.1 ± 12.2, 60.5%female, 73.2% White, 6.9% Black, 18.6% Asian, 1.3% Other. On univariate analysis, OR for appropriate statin prescription were 0.82 (p=0.016) for provider-patient race discordance; 0.90 (p=0.251) for gender discordance, 0.34 (p<0.001) if provider age 10+ years younger than the patient, and 4.72 (p<0.001) if provider age 10+ years older. On multivariate analysis adjusted for clinical risk factors, none of these OR for patient-provider discordance were significantly different from 1: race 1.06 (p=0.42), gender 0.96 (p=0.34), provider 10+ years younger 1.05 (p=0.61), provider 10+ years older 0.91 (p=0.32). Conclusion: In this analysis, Black, male, morbidly obese and older patients were less likely to receive appropriate statin therapy. However, there was no evidence that inappropriate treatment was associated with patient-provider age, gender, or race discordance. Further investigation is needed to guide targeted interventions aimed at addressing these inequities.

Introduction: Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is evolving in low to intermediate risk Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI), however quantitative assessment of atherosclerosis and vessel morphology from CCTA has been rarely performed. This study evaluates atherosclerotic plaque characteristics (APC) via a novel artificial intelligence (AI) guided approach in NSTEMI patients with CCTA.

Purpose of reviewSocial media (SoMe) as a means of knowledge dissemination has grown significantly in cardiovascular imaging in recent years. This media platform allows for a free exchange of ideas, the development of new communities, and the ability to disseminate advancements rapidly. While the social media platforms offer limitless potential, their public domain necessitates several important suggestions around best practices.Recent findingsIn cardiovascular imaging, specific hashtags have emerged to encompass the major modalities to include #EchoFirst, #YesCCT, #WhyCMR, and #CVNuc. Cardiovascular imaging journals have established major presences in the social media space as an avenue to present novel, high-quality, peer-reviewed content to new audiences.SummaryThis review paper aims to introduce basic concepts in social media and cardiovascular imaging while highlighting recent topics of high importance, influence, and attention in cardiovascular imaging to include the ISCHEMIA trial, COVID-19, structural imaging, and multimodality advances from throughout 2020.

Participation in the Medicare Quality Payment Program’s Merit Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) has forced many healthcare administrators to strategize how to achieve success under value-based payment systems. A financial model was constructed to determine the marginal utility of compliance with various MIPS measures. Solo, small, medium, large, and very large practices were modeled using available data and final rules published by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The model analysis found that small groups were generally incentivized not to comply with MIPS measures. Conversely, larger organizations were found to have strong financial incentives to maximize pursuit of MIPS measures. Incentives to pursue interoperability investments were projected to be generally under $10 200 for small organizations but approximately $690 000 for very large practices whereas the health information technology (IT) resources necessary to pursue these measures may not have nearly the same range of costs. In light of these findings, small groups may be driven to join larger groups as large groups continue to capitalize on their larger incentives to pursue MIPS measures. As financial success under MIPS is dependent on scale, healthcare systems that pursue consolidation may achieve greater success under quality payment programs similar to MIPS which include the newly proposed MIPS Value Pathways (MVPs).

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is recommended by guidelines in severe aortic stenosis (AS) in patients with high or intermediate surgical risk. However, AS and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is associated with worse clinical outcomes. Many of these patients will have LVEF recovery after TAVR. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictors of early LVEF recovery. Methods: All patients with a baseline LVEF < 50% who underwent TAVR and had an echocardiogram within one-month post-TAVR (n=39) at a single center were included to determine the factors that predict an improvement in early LVEF. A 10% increase in LVEF within one month was used as a definition of early improvement in LVEF. Chi-square and T-test were used to examine differences in baseline characteristics between subjects with and without improvement in early LVEF. Results: The patient cohort was 77 ± 9 years, 76.9% male, STS 6.2 ± 3.7. Among the 56% who had an improvement in early LVEF, they were more likely to have a lower left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD) (5.0±0.8 cm vs. 5.7±0.6 cm; p-value = 0.01) and left ventricular end systole diameter (LVESD) (3.7±0.8 cm vs. 4.5±1.1 cm; p-value = 0.02). These patients were more likely to have a higher interventricular septum diastolic thickness (IVSd) (1.2±0.2 cm vs. 1.0±0.2 cm; p-value = 0.01) and less likely to have a pre-existing peripheral vascular disease (PVD; 13% vs. 50%; p-value=0.01). Conclusion: Our study suggests that LVEDD, LVESD, IVSd, and PVD may be used to predict early improvement in LVEF. These factors need to be further prospectively validated to determine patients who are more likely to benefit from TAVR.

Background: Statistical models have been developed in the last two decades to predict clinical outcomes for patients hospitalized with heart failure. These predictive models were developed based on...

Background Randomized controlled trials conducted in Mediterranean countries have shown that the Mediterranean diet lowers adverse cardiovascular events. In the American population, diet remains the biggest uncontrolled risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Objective This study aimed to test the hypothesis that asynchronous dietary counseling supplied through a custom smartphone app results in better adherence to a Mediterranean diet in a non-Mediterranean population than traditional standard-of-care (SOC) counseling. Methods In total, 100 patients presenting to the cardiology clinic of an academic medical center were randomized to either the SOC or smartphone app-based experimental (EXP) Mediterranean diet intervention after informed consent and 1 hour of individual face-to-face dietary counseling with a registered dietitian. Participants in EXP received a custom smartphone app that reinforced the Mediterranean diet, whereas participants in SOC received 2 additional sessions of in-person dietary counseling with the registered dietitian—30 min at 1 month and 30 min at 3 months. Preexisting knowledge of a Mediterranean diet was measured by the validated Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) instrument. Baseline height, weight, blood pressure (BP), and laboratory biomarkers were collected. At 1, 3, and 6 months, participants presented for a follow-up appointment to assess compliance to the Mediterranean diet using the MDS as well as a patient satisfaction survey, BP, and weight. Repeat laboratory biomarkers were performed at 3 and 6 months. Results Enrolled participants had a mean age with SE of 56.6 (SD 1.7) for SOC and 57.2 (SD 1.8) for EXP; 65.3% of SOC and 56.9% of EXP were male, and 20.4% of SOC and 35.3% of EXP had coronary artery disease. There were no significant differences between EXP and SOC with regard to BP, lipid parameters, hemoglobin A1c, or C-reactive protein (CRP). Participants in EXP achieved a significantly greater weight loss on average of 3.3 pounds versus 3.1 pounds for participants in SOC, P=.04. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet increased significantly over time for both groups (P<.001), but there was no significant difference between groups (P=.69). Similarly, there was no significant difference in diet satisfaction between EXP and SOC, although diet satisfaction increased significantly over time for both groups. The proportion of participants with high Mediterranean diet compliance (defined as the MDS ≥9) increased significantly over time (P<.001)—from 18.4% to 57.1% for SOC and 27.5% to 64.7% for EXP; however, there was no significant difference between the groups. Conclusions Both traditional SOC counseling and smartphone-based counseling were effective in getting participants to adhere to a Mediterranean diet, and these dietary changes persisted even after counseling had ended. However, neither method was more effective than the other. This pilot study demonstrates that patients can change to and maintain a Mediterranean diet with either traditional or smartphone app-based nutrition counseling. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03897426;https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03897426