Operator Radiation Exposure Comparing the Left Radial Artery Approach and a Uniform Hyper-Adducted Right Radial Artery Approach: The HARRA Study.

Background: Radiation exposure is one of the most adverse occupational hazards faced by interventional cardiologists. Various arterial access sites have shown to yield different operator radiation exposure during diagnostic cardiac catheterization.

Methods: This single-center randomized controlled trial assessed the cumulative radiation exposure and normalized radiation exposure at 4 different anatomic locations (thorax, abdomen, left eye, and right eye) of the primary operator when using the left radial artery (LRA) approach compared with a uniform hyper-adducted right radial artery (HARRA) approach.

Impact of Right Heart Failure on Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Insights from the National Inpatient Sample.

There are limited data on the impact of right heart failure (RHF) on patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We investigated the mortality, in-hospital complications, length of stay, and total hospitalization charges for TAVI admissions, with and without RHF. We analyzed the National Inpatient Sample data from 2018 to 2022.

Leadless Pacemaker vs. Transvenous Pacemaker in End Stage Kidney Disease: Insights from the Nationwide Readmission Database.

: Leadless pacemakers offer a safe and effective alternative pacing strategy. However, limited data are available for patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD), a population of significant relevance. Using the Nationwide Readmission Database, we extracted data from all adult patients with ESRD who underwent traditional transvenous or leadless pacemaker implantation between 2016 and 2021.

Shunting Across a Latent Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) in a Patient With Right Ventricular (RV) Infarction Improved With Impella.

The right-to-left shunt (RTLS) through a latent patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a rare complication of right ventricle myocardial infarction (MI). Though a rare complication, the development of refractory hypoxemia after right ventricular MI should always alert clinicians to consider the possibility of shunting across PFO. Right-sided Impella (Impella RP) can be considered in such patients, which helps to decrease the elevated right heart pressure reducing the shunt, thereby providing a bridge to recovery.

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.

Venous Stent Migrating to the Right Heart Causing Severe Regurgitation.

Venous stent migration to the cardiopulmonary system is a rare but serious complication. Cardiopulmonary involvement has various presentations such as valvulopathy, acute heart failure, arrhythmias, endocarditis, and tamponade. The presenting symptoms depend on the eventual location of the stent in the heart or lungs, size of the stent, and valve involvement.

Percutaneous Closure of the Patent Foramen Ovale on Right Ventricular Mechanical Circulatory Support.

Right ventricular infarction can precipitate severe right-to-left shunting and refractory hypoxia from a previously dormant patent foramen ovale. Right ventricle mechanical circulatory support and patent foramen ovale closure can play a crucial role in the treatment of hypoxia and right ventricular recovery. We report a case of successful percutaneous patent foramen ovale closure on right ventricle mechanical circulatory support in a patient with right ventricular shock.

Outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) among patients with connective tissue disease: Propensity match analysis.

Background: Inflammation is the hallmark of coronary artery disease (CAD) and CTD. There are reports of increased prevalence of CAD among patients with CTD such as Rheumatoid Arthritis. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the outcomes of PCI among patients with CTD.

Electrocardiogram Changes with Acute Alcohol Intoxication: A Systematic Review.

Background: Acute alcohol intoxication has been associated with cardiac arrhythmias but the electrocardiogram (ECG) changes associated with acute alcohol intoxication are not well defined in the literature.

Objective: Highlight the best evidence regarding the ECG changes associated with acute alcohol intoxication in otherwise healthy patients and the pathophysiology of the changes.

Methods: A literature search was carried out; 4 studies relating to ECG changes with acute alcohol intoxication were included in this review.

Comparison of Standard Catheters Versus Radial Artery-Specific Catheter in Patients Who Underwent Coronary Angiography Through Transradial Access.

In this prospective, randomized controlled study, we aim to compare the performance outcomes of standard catheters with the radial artery-specific catheter. Over the past decade, transradial cardiac catheterization has gained widespread popularity because of its low complication rates compared with transfemoral access. Operators have the choice of using either standard catheters (used for both transfemoral and transradial approach, with need for separate catheter use for either right or left coronary artery engagement) or a dedicated radial artery catheter, which is specifically designed to engage both coronary arteries through radial artery access.

A Rare Case of Renal Infarct due to Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy is a rare myocardial disorder which results from failure of left ventricle to compact in embryogenesis. We present a case of a 53-year-old female who came because of abdominal pain and was found to have renal infarct secondary to noncompaction cardiomyopathy.

Medication-induced Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy presenting with cardiogenic shock-utility of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO): case report and review of the literature.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is a transient condition that affects the myocardium and is seen mostly in post-menopausal women secondary to an emotional or physical stressor; however, certain drugs have been described as cause of this syndrome. We report the case of a young female with medication--induced TTC, who presented with cardiogenic shock as initial manifestation, treated successfully with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). To our knowledge, this is the first case in the literature describing the use of ECMO in cardiogenic shock due to medication-induced TTC.

Eplerenone is not superior to older and less expensive aldosterone antagonists.

Introduction: Eplerenone is publicized to be extremely effective in reducing mortality from heart failure, with a reasonable side-effect profile. However, it is much more expensive compared with older aldosterone antagonists. We reviewed available evidence to assess whether increased expense was justified with outcomes data.