Outpatient care changes and associated mortality among Veterans with heart failure during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The mortality risk associated with loss of in-person outpatient visits or transition to virtual care in patients with heart failure (HF) during the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown.

Objectives: Assess changes in outpatient HF care patterns and associated mortality.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of HF patients using national Veterans-Health-Administration (VHA) data.

The Cardiovascular Manifestations of COVID-19.

The Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, has resulted in unprecedented morbidity and mortality worldwide. While COVID-19 typically presents as viral pneumonia, cardiovascular manifestations such as acute coronary syndromes, arterial and venous thrombosis, acutely decompensated heart failure (HF), and arrhythmia are frequently observed. Many of these complications are associated with poorer outcomes, including death.

The Cardiovascular Manifestations of COVID-19.

The Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, has resulted in unprecedented morbidity and mortality worldwide. While COVID-19 typically presents as viral pneumonia, cardiovascular manifestations such as acute coronary syndromes, arterial and venous thrombosis, acutely decompensated heart failure (HF), and arrhythmia are frequently observed. Many of these complications are associated with poorer outcomes, including death.

Tolvaptan add-on therapy and its effects on efficacy parameters and outcomes in patients hospitalized with heart failure.

Introduction: Even with the adequate use of diuretics and vasodilators, volume overload and congestion are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in patients hospitalized with acute heart failure (HF). We aim to evaluate the additive effect of tolvaptan on efficacy parameters as well as outcomes in hospitalized patients with HF.

Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, and Web of Science databases for randomized controlled trials that studied the effects of tolvaptan versus placebo in hospitalized patients with HF.

Left-sided Pseudomonas Endocarditis with Disseminated Septic Emboli.

A 59-year-old man presented with sharp chest pain, hypoxia, and tachycardia. His past medical history included intravenous drug use (IVDU). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from his blood.

A Case of Ileus and ST Segment Elevation.

ST segment elevation is associated with non-cardiac pathologies but is not as well reported as myocardial infarction. We present a case of a 63-year-old man who was admitted for an overdose on cyclobenzaprine with signs of anti-cholinergic toxicity. He developed signs of ileus on imaging and became progressively obtunded.

Systolic Strain Abnormalities to Predict Hospital Readmission in Patients With Heart Failure and Normal Ejection Fraction.

Background: Despite intensive investigation, the pathogenesis of heart failure with normal ejection fraction (HFNEF) remains unclear. We hypothesized that subtle abnormalities of systolic function might play a role, and that abnormal systolic strain and strain rate would provide a marker for adverse outcomes.

Methods: Patients of new CHF and left ventricular ejection fraction > 50% were included.

Validation of attenuation correction using transmission truncation compensation with a small field of view dedicated cardiac SPECT camera system.

Background: Although attenuation correction (AC) has been successfully applied to large field of view (LFOV) cameras, applicability to small field of view (SFOV) cameras is a concern due to truncation. This study compared perfusion images between a LFOV and SFOV camera with truncation compensation, using the same AC solution.

Methods And Results: Seventy-eight clinically referred patients underwent rest-stress single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using both a SFOV and LFOV camera in a randomized sequence.

Change in coronary flow reserve on transthoracic Doppler echocardiography after a single high-fat meal in young healthy men.

Background: High-fat meals and elevated triglyceride levels are associated with cardiovascular disease. In recent studies of brachial artery vasoactivity, a single high-fat meal reduced endothelial function in young healthy men. It is unknown whether coronary microcirculation is affected after high-fat meals.