Circulation. Heart failure
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The novel coronavirus disease 2019, otherwise known as COVID-19, is a global pandemic with primary respiratory manifestations in those who are symptomatic. It has spread to >187 countries with a rapidly growing number of affected patients. Underlying cardiovascular disease is associated with more severe manifestations of COVID-19 and higher rates of mortality. ⋯ In severe cases, profound circulatory failure can result. This review discusses the presentation and management of patients with severe cardiac complications of COVID-19 disease, with an emphasis on a Heart-Lung team approach in patient management. Furthermore, it focuses on the use of and indications for acute mechanical circulatory support in cardiogenic and/or mixed shock.
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Obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM) is characterized by unexplained left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy associated with dynamic LV outflow tract obstruction. Current medical therapies are nonspecific and have limited efficacy in relieving symptoms. Mavacamten is a first-in-class targeted inhibitor of cardiac myosin, which has been shown to reduce LV outflow tract obstruction, improve exercise capacity, and relieve symptoms of oHCM in the PIONEER-HCM phase 2 study. ⋯ EXPLORER-HCM is a phase 3 trial in oHCM testing a first-in-class, targeted strategy of myosin inhibition to improve symptom burden and exercise capacity through reducing LV outflow tract obstruction. Results of this trial will provide evidence to support the first disease-specific treatment for HCM. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03470545.
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Comparative Study
Sex Differences in Quality of Life and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Advanced Heart Failure: Insights From the PAL-HF Trial.
Palliative care improves quality of life in patients with heart failure. Whether men and women with heart failure derive similar benefit from palliative care interventions remains unknown. ⋯ In the PAL-HF trial, women with heart failure experienced a greater symptom burden and poorer quality of life as compared with men. The change in treated men's Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire score between baseline and 24 weeks was significantly higher than those untreated; this trend was not observed in women. Thus, there may be a sex disparity in response to palliative care intervention, suggesting that sex-specific approaches to palliative care may be needed to improve outcomes. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT0158960.
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Comparative Study
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation as a Bridge to Durable Mechanical Circulatory Support: An Analysis of the STS-INTERMACS Database.
Limited data are available regarding the outcomes of patients supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) who undergo durable mechanical circulatory support implantation (dMCS). We analyzed the clinical characteristics, outcomes, and risk factors for mortality in patients who were bridged with ECMO to dMCS. ⋯ ECMO-supported patients before dMCS have lower survival compared with other IP-1 patients. A multivariable analysis showed that ECMO is an independent risk factor of poor outcome after dMCS. However, a propensity matched analysis suggested that when important clinical variables are controlled the outcome of both groups is similar. These data support the implantation of dMCS in carefully selected ECMO patients.