Current problems in cardiology
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Pulmonary Embolism (PE) is the third most common cause of cardiovascular mortality in the United States, with 60,000-100,000 deaths per year following myocardial infarction and stroke. During the past 5 years, there has been an introduction of novel interventions as a result of a renewed interest in optimizing PE management, particularly among those individuals with more severe disease of hemodynamic significance. The cornerstone treatment for PE is anticoagulation. ⋯ As of today, catheter-based interventions are limited to small randomized trials and single arm-prospective studies focused on short-term surrogate endpoints. Although single arm studies carry some value establishing the preliminary safety and effectiveness of these devices, they are not sufficient to stratify risk and guide clinical practice. Furthermore, no trials have been performed with enough power to assess potential mortality benefit with the use of catheter-directed thrombolysis or catheter-based embolectomy devices, hence treatment decisions continue to be influenced by individual risk of bleeding, the location of thrombus and operator expertise until additional evidence becomes available.
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Myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS) includes patients with traditional myocardial infarction and those with ischemic myocardial injury after surgery. This study evaluated the prognostic value of MINS on major cardiovascular events and 30-day mortality, and determined independent preoperative predictors of MINS in patients after noncardiac surgery. This multicenter prospective cohort study was part of the VISION Study. ⋯ Multivariable analysis indicated a higher chance of MINS in patients ≥75 years of age, history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart failure, coronary disease, and end-stage renal failure. The incidence of MINS within 30 days after noncardiac surgery is related to higher mortality. Postoperative troponin monitoring in elder patients and with risk factors for atherosclerotic disease may help reduce postoperative cardiovascular events.
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Pregnancy is associated with major structural and hemodynamic changes in the cardiovascular system that predispose women to an increased risk of atrial fibrillation. While these changes generally resolve after parturition, the impact of subsequent pregnancies on the risk of atrial fibrillation is unknown. We searched through PubMed for studies that have investigated the impact of multiparity on the risk of atrial fibrillation. ⋯ Increasing number of pregnancies was associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation in a dose-response relationship. Our systematic review suggests that multiparity is associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation. More studies are warranted to elucidate the association between repeated pregnancies and atrial fibrillation.
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The COVID-19 pandemic had significant impact on health care worldwide which has led to a reduction in all elective admissions and management of patients through virtual care. The purpose of this study is to assess changes in STEMI volumes, door to reperfusion, and the time from the onset of symptoms until reperfusion therapy, and in-hospital events between the pre-COVID-19 (PC) and after COVID-19 (AC) period. All acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) cases were retrospectively identified from 16 centers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 period from January 01 to April 30, 2020. ⋯ There were no differences between the AC and PC period with respect to in-hospital events and the length of hospital stay. There was a reduction in the STEMI volumes during 2020. Our data reflected the standard of care for STEMI patients continued during the COVID-19 pandemic while demonstrating patients delayed presenting to the hospital.
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Managing Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction at the Epicenter of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, strained acute care resources, the potential for rapid clinical decompensation, and concerns about staff safety has prompted a conservative management approach for acute coronary syndrome patients. We present our experience of COVID-19 patients at Elmhurst Hospital Center presenting with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction and compared outcomes of invasive vs conservative treatment strategies.