External Validation of an AI-based Preoperative Frailty Index using Real-World Data.

Background: Preoperative frailty assessment is crucial for surgical risk stratification in older adults. Traditional frailty measurements are often too time-consuming and resource-intensive in preoperative settings. This study aimed to externally validate an artificial intelligence (AI)-based frailty index developed using electronic health records (EHR).

Patient-specific hemodynamic modeling to optimize LVAD speed and right heart health.

Background: Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) speed optimization and right heart failure post device implantation are major clinical challenges. Right heart catheterization (RHC)-guided speed titration studies are often performed to optimize LVAD settings, which are unknown and must be optimized for each patient. A virtual hemodynamic model (VHM) that can be tailored to each patient may provide useful guidance and reduce repeated studies.

Preoperative use of intra-aortic balloon pump before left ventricular assist device implantation.

Background: Intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABPs) have been employed to stabilize patients with acute-on-chronic cardiogenic shock. The use of IABP to optimize patients for successful left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation has not been well-studied.

Methods: This is a single-center retrospective cohort of adults (>18 years) undergoing durable LVAD implantation between April 2011 and June 2019.

Advancing the frontier of left ventricular assist device outflow graft stenting: Stenting techniques and outcomes in a landmark case series.

Background: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have demonstrated a significant mortality and quality-of-life benefit to patients with end-stage heart failure. However, a unique potential complication is outflow graft obstruction (OGO), in which the conduit between the LVAD pump and the aorta is narrowed. Recently, attempts at an endovascular approach with outflow graft stenting have been successful with comparatively low risk relative to surgical replacement of the LVAD.

The evolving role of MRI in pulmonary sarcoidosis: Comparative analysis with PFTs and progression markers.

Background: Sarcoidosis is a systemic illness with unclear etiology that commonly affects the lungs and intrathoracic lymph nodes. Chest radiography, CT, and, more recently, MRI can be used for assessment, with bilateral hilar lymph node enlargement and interstitial lung disease being common observations.

Objectives:  In adults diagnosed with pulmonary sarcoidosis, how do chest radiography, CT, and MRI compare in the assessment of disease progression?

Study Design And Methods:  This is a prospective study of 77 adults diagnosed with pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Anatomic Suitability for Axillary Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump Circulatory Support.

Background: Intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABP) are commonly used as a bridge to heart transplant (Htx). Although IABPs were designed for transfemoral arterial placement, axillary IABPs (axIABP) allow for continued ambulation and rehabilitation. However, increased rates of device complications with axillary compared to femoral insertion suggest anatomic variations that predispose patients to device failure.

Multimodality Imaging for the Diagnosis and Evaluation of Pulmonary Sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disorder characterized by noncaseating granulomas. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis is based on three criteria: clinical history, consistent imaging findings, and histopathology. Radiologists play an important role for the diagnosis and follow-up evaluation of patients with sarcoidosis, which often require a multimodal approach.

Contemporary Bridge to Heart Transplantation With Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

In October 2018, the United Network for Organ Sharing changed their heart allocation criteria to prioritize patients on temporary mechanical circulatory support. This study assesses outcomes of patients bridged to orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) since this change. We conducted a retrospective single-center study of adults (≥18 years) supported with VA ECMO at the time of OHT (October 1, 2018, to December 31, 2021).

Impella 5.5: A Systematic Review of the Current Literature.

Objective: Impella 5.5 (Abiomed, Danvers, MA, USA) is a temporary mechanical circulatory support device used for patients in cardiogenic shock. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the device's clinical effectiveness, safety profile, patient outcomes, and relevant procedural considerations.

Natural recovery of cardiac allograft diastolic function, a retrospective longitudinal report.

Cardiac allografts suffer diastolic dysfunction early post-heart transplantation (HTx) due to ischemic injury, however the natural course of diastology recovery post HTx remains unknown (Tallaj et al., 2007 [1]). We retrospectively reviewed 60 adult HTx patients between 2015 and 2021 at a single site.

Combination diuretic therapies in heart failure: Insights from GUIDE-IT.

Introduction: Diuretics are the mainstay of maintaining and restoring euvolemia in the management of heart failure. Loop diuretics are often preferred, however, combination diuretic therapy (CDT) with a thiazide diuretic is often used to overcome diuretic resistance and increase diuretic effect. We performed an analysis of the GUIDE-IT study to assess all-cause mortality and time to first hospitalizations in patients necessitating CDT.

Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance 2023 Cases of SCMR case series.

"Cases of SCMR" is a case series on the SCMR website (https://www.scmr.org) for the purpose of education.

Temporary mechanical support in the peripartum patient as a bridge to postpartum recovery: A report of three cases.

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a severe complication of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). Patients with deteriorating CS often require temporary mechanical circulatory support. In PPCM, this can be used as a bridge to postpartum recovery or bridge to decision.

Outcome of Patients With Systolic Heart Failure Who Underwent Sympathectomy for Ventricular Arrhythmia.

Cardiac sympathetic denervation (CSD) is a surgical procedure increasingly used for managing ventricular arrhythmia refractory to conventional medical therapy. Long-term outcomes of CSD in patients with systolic heart failure has not been well studied. This observational study aimed to evaluate the medical co-morbidities and outcomes of patients with systolic heart failure who underwent CSD performed as treatment for ventricular arrhythmia refractory to conventional therapy.

An explainable machine learning approach using contemporary UNOS data to identify patients who fail to bridge to heart transplantation.

Background: The use of Intra-aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) and Impella devices as a bridge to heart transplantation (HTx) has increased significantly in recent times. This study aimed to create and validate an explainable machine learning (ML) model that can predict the failure of status two listings and identify the clinical features that significantly impact this outcome.

Methods: We used the UNOS registry database to identify HTx candidates listed as UNOS Status 2 between 2018 and 2022 and supported with either Impella (5.

Use of Virtual Reality and 3D Models in Contemporary Practice of Cardiology.

Purpose Of Review: To provide an overview of the impact of virtual and augmented reality in contemporary cardiovascular medical practice.

Recent Findings: The utilization of virtual and augmented reality has emerged as an innovative technique in various cardiovascular subspecialties, including interventional adult, pediatric, and adult congenital as well as structural heart disease and heart failure. In particular, electrophysiology has proven valuable for both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Thrombotic and Hemorrhagic Complications Following Left Ventricular Assist Device Placement: An Emphasis on Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Stroke, and Pump Thrombosis.

The left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a mechanical circulatory support device that supports the heart failure patient as a bridge to transplant (BTT) or as a destination therapy for those who have other medical comorbidities or complications that disqualify them from meeting transplant criteria. In patients with severe heart failure, LVAD use has extended survival and improved signs and symptoms of cardiac congestion and low cardiac output, such as dyspnea, fatigue, and exercise intolerance. However, these devices are associated with specific hematologic and thrombotic complications.

Case Report: Multimodality evaluation and clinical management of a single coronary artery.

A 14-year-old male with no significant medical history presented with intermittent palpitations for 2-3 months that occurred at rest and were associated with light-headedness. Electrocardiogram in clinic showed sinus arrhythmia with early repolarization and no ischemic changes. The echocardiogram showed normal cardiac structure and function, however, there was a concern for possible anomalous origin of the left coronary artery.

Racial and ethnic disparities in heart transplantation for end-stage heart failure: An analysis of the national inpatient sample (NIS) database.

Purpose: This study aims to examine disparities among heart transplant recipients in the United States, utilizing the latest data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of NIS discharge data (2017-2020), focusing on adult end-stage heart failure (ESHF) patients, identified using the ICD-10 CM code I50.84.

Reconsidering FDA Guidelines: A Single-Center Experience of Prolonged Impella 5.5 Support.

Objective: Impella 5.5 (Abiomed, Danvers, MA, USA) is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for mechanical circulatory support for ≤14 days. It is unknown whether prolonged support is associated with worse outcomes.