3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging in patients with cardiac electronic implantable devices: a single center experience

Background

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a key method guiding medical diagnosis and therapy, is increasingly performed at 3 Tesla (T) field strength. Growing evidence suggests a relatively safe conductance of 1.5 T MRI in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), leading to conditional certification of some CIEDs for MRI. However, data on the safety of MRI imaging at 3 T in patients with CIEDs are scarce.

Purpose

We analysed the safety of clinically indicated 3 T MRI in patients with “3T MRI-conditional” and “3 T MRI-non-conditional” CIEDs.

Methods

We performed a retrospective single-center analysis of consecutive patients with CIEDs labelled by the manufacturer as “MRI non-conditional”, “1.5 T MRI-conditional” and “3 T MRI-conditional”. Patients underwent clinically indicated 3 T MRI of different thoracic and non-thoracic body regions from April 2020 to February 2022. Devices were interrogated and programmed appropriately before and after scanning. Statistics included median and interquartile range. Measurements of device and lead function and integrity before and after scanning were assessed. Adverse events included all-cause death, arrhythmias, loss of capture, inappropriate anti-tachycardia therapies, electrical reset and lead or generator failure during or shortly after MRI scan.

Results

One hundred twenty-eight 3 T MRI scans were performed in 94 patients (mean age 72±16 years, 36.2% female). 3T MRI scans were performed in patients with “non-MRI-conditional” devices (n=9), “1.5 T MRI-conditional” devices (n=22), and “3 T MRI-conditional” devices (n=97). Patients were pacemaker-dependent in 24 MRI scans. After MRI, lead impedance had changed by 100 Ohms or more in seven cases (4 atrial and 3 right ventricular leads). P-wave (−25%) reduction was noted in one, R-wave (−50%) reduction in two cases. Right atrial and ventricular threshold exceeded the limit of 0,5V in one case each only in “3 T MRI-conditional” devices. No clinically relevant adverse events occurred.

Conclusion

3 T MRI was safely conducted in patients with “3 T MRI-conditional” and “non-MRI conditional” CIEDs in our single-center study. Pending verification in independent series, our data suggest that clinically indicated 3T MRI scans should not be withheld from patients with cardiac pacemakers or defibrillators.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Temporal trends in incidence, patient characteristics, microbiology and in-hospital mortality in patients with infective endocarditis: a contemporary analysis of 86,469 cases between 2007 and 2019

Background

Infective endocarditis (IE) is characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates, despite recent improvements in diagnostics and treatment. We aimed to investigate incidence, clinical characteristics, and in-hospital mortality in a large-scale nationwide cohort.

Methods

Using data from the German Federal Bureau of Statistics, all IE cases in Germany between 2007 to 2019 were analyzed. Logistic regression models were fitted to assess associations between clinical factors and in-hospital mortality.

Results

In total, 86,469 patients were hospitalized with IE between 2007 and 2019. The mean age was 66.5±14.7 years and 31.8% (n=27,534/86,469) were female. Cardiovascular (CV) comorbidities were common. The incidence of IE in the German population increased from 6.3/100,000 to 10.2/100,000 between 2007 and 2019 (Figure 1). Staphylococcus (n=17,673/86,469; 20.4%) and streptococcus (n=17,618/86,469; 20.4%) were the most common IE-causing bacteria. The prevalence of staphylococcus gradually increased over time, whereas blood culture-negative IE (BCNIE) cases decreased (Figure 2). In-hospital mortality in patients with IE was 14.9%. Compared to BCNIE, staphylococcus and gram-negative pathogens were associated with higher in-hospital mortality. In multivariable analysis, factors associated with higher likelihood of in-hospital mortality were advanced age, female sex, CV comorbidities (e.g., heart failure, COPD, diabetes, stroke), need for dialysis or invasive ventilation, and sepsis.

Conclusions

In this contemporary cohort, incidence of IE increased over time and in-hospital mortality remained high (∼15%). While staphylococcus and streptococcus were the predominant microorganisms, bacteremia with staphylococcusand gram-negative pathogens were associated with higher likelihood of in-hospital mortality. Our results highlight the need for new preventive strategies and interventions in patients with IE.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Incidence of premature battery depletion in subcutaneous cardioverter-defibrillator patients. Insights from a multicenter registry

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction

A subset of more than 35,000 S-ICD is under FDA advisory, warning of the potential of premature battery depletion (PBD), caused by a faulty low-voltage capacitor. Based on internal data, the manufacturer projects the incidence at 3.7% after 5 years. Data independent from the manufacturer is sparse.

Methods

This study was a multicenter effort of 14 centers in Europe, the US, and Canada. Consecutive patients who received a S-ICD at the participating centers were included in this retrospective analysis. Patients with the 1010 S-ICD generator model, and those without available follow-up information were excluded. Data was collected and managed using REDCap electronic data capture tools hosted at the University Hospital Cologne.

The primary endpoint in this registry was device explantation, generator replacement, or generator failure. Reasons for explantation, replacement, or failure were collected. Device longevity was defined in months. It was calculated as the time from device insertion to the time of replacement, or explantation, or failure, where applicable. Premature battery depletion was defined as the occurrence of battery depletion requiring generator replacement after 60 months or less.

The study complies with the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethics committee approval was obtained. This study is registered with Clinicaltrials.gov.

Results

Data of n=1,102 S-ICD devices was analyzed. The registry comprised of S-ICD generators implanted between 03/2015 and 09/2021 (43.4% A209 model and 56.6% A219 model). Of these, 611 devices (55.4%) were identified by the Boston Scientific serial number lookup tool as affected by the advisory. The mean and median follow-up duration was 2.43±1.66 and 2.29 years, respectively.

During follow-up, 110 devices (10%) were explanted after 2.9±1.7 years. Battery depletion was the indication in 52. The endpoint of PBD (battery depletion after less than 5 years) was met in 37 devices (6% of the devices under advisory), after 4.1±0.6 years.

In 58 cases, the S-ICD was explanted for reasons other than battery depletion.

Infection (16), system upgrade (20), heart transplant or LVAD therapy (7), and inappropriate shocks or inappropriate sensing (7) were the most common indications.

Discussion

This registry provides a systematic and manufacturer independent analysis of premature battery depletion in S-ICD patients. In the affected devices, the incidence of premature battery occurred in 6%. This is higher than what is projected by the manufacturer. The rate of PBD increases notably around the 4-year mark.

Conclusion

S-ICD generators under advisory suffer from PBD at a higher incidence than previously reported. Patients equipped with these devices should be closely monitored.

281Impact of complications on VA-ECMO support for cardiopulmonary support: analysis of 8,351 adult patients in Germany from 2007 to 2015

Background

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is increasingly used for treatment of patients with critical cardiopulmonary failure. However, utilization of VA-ECMO support must be carefully weighed against possible complications. Therefore, we investigated the incidence and impact of complications on VA-ECMO support in one of the largest datasets of VA-ECMO therapy.

Material and methods

We analyzed complications and outcomes of all VA-ECMO procedures performed in Germany from 2007 to 2015 by using administrative data from the German Federal Health Monitoring System. For the present analyses all cases treated with VA-ECMO between 2007 and 2015 were identified and selected by the primary procedural code (OPS) for VA-ECMO (OPS code 8852.3).

Results

Among 8,351 patients undergoing VA-ECMO between 2007 and 2015, there were significant changes in complication rates over time such as increase in acute kidney injury (from 35.9% in 2007–2012 to 44.6% in 2013–2015), major bleeding (from 11.3% in 2007–2012 to 19.5% in 2013–2015 and abdominal ischemia (from 4.5% in 2007–2009 to 7.2% in 2013–2015). The incidence of stroke and limb ischemia did not differ over time. Procedure-related and ischemic complications were more frequently observed in non-survivors as compared to survivors (12.2% versus 15.3%, p<0.001) except for major bleeding (20.9% in survivors versus 15.0% in non-survivors, p<0.001). Multivariate analyses retained stroke and acute kidney injury as being significantly associated with 30-day in-hospital mortality, with respective OR [95% CI] of 1.7 [1.0–2.9] and 1.2 [1.1–1.3].

Conclusion

In one of the largest registries, major bleeding and ischemic events are the most common complications on VA-ECMO support. Ischemic complications seem to influence outcome more than bleeding complications. However, only stroke and acute kidney injury were independently associated with higher mortality rates. These findings should be incorporated in risk-benefit stratification when initiation of VA-ECMO and in prevention of complications to avoid additional morbidity and mortality in these critically ill patients.

P6310Risk predictors of cardiac allograft vasculopathy after heart transplantation: results from the United States Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network

Background

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a major long-term complication after heart transplantation leading to chronic graft failure and increased mortality.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine recipient- and donor-related risk factors for the development of CAV in patients after heart transplantation.

Methods

Overall, data from 34,994 heart transplant recipients prospectively enrolled from July 2004 to March 2015 in the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) were analyzed. Patients aged <18 years and those without information about CAV and re-transplantation were excluded. Multivariable-adjusted analyses were performed to identify recipient- and donor-related risk factors for new-onset CAV. The mean follow-up time was 66.8 months. Analyses are based on OPTN data as of March 6, 2017.

Results

Of 34,994 patients after heart transplantation, 12,668 (36.2%) patients developed CAV. Mean age was 52±12 years for the recipients (76.1% men) and 31±12 years for the donors (71.0% men), respectively.

In recipients, male sex (hazard ratio [HR] 1.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09–1.19, p<0.001), African American ethnicity (HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.06–1.17, p<0.001), body mass index (BMI) (HR per 5 kg/m2 increase 1.08, 95% CI 1.06–1.11, p<0.001) and smoking (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01–1.13, p=0.03) were associated with incident CAV. Moreover, recipients with ischemic (HR 1.30, 95% CI 1.09–1.55, p=0.003) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.02–1.57, p=0.03) had a higher risk for new-onset CAV than patients with other cardiomyopathies.

In donors, age (HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.10–1.11, p<0.001), male sex (HR 1.28 95% CI 1.22–1.34, p<0.001), BMI (HR per 5 kg/m2 increase 1.04, 95% CI 1.02–1.05, p<0.001), smoking (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.04–1.13, p<0.001), diabetes (HR 1.21 95% CI 1.09–1.36, p<0.001) and arterial hypertension (HR 1.13, 95% CI 1.07–1.20, p<0.001) were associated with new-onset CAV. Contrarily, African American (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.88–0.98, p=0.007) and Hispanic ethnicity (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.89–0.99, p=0.03) seemed to be protective.

Conclusion

Both recipient and donor male sex as well as the classical cardiovascular risk factors BMI and smoking were associated with incident CAV. On the donor side, additionally, diabetes and arterial hypertension were related to new-onset CAV. Diverse ethnicities were differentially related to new-onset CAV. Further studies are needed to clarify whether modification of cardiovascular risk factors as well as improved donor selection will reduce CAV burden.

Anticoagulation strategies in patients with atrial fibrillation after PCI or with ACS : The end of triple therapy?

Clinicians struggle daily with the optimal regimen for patients with an indication for antiplatelet therapy after stenting and in patients needing oral anticoagulation treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). This is not only difficult in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) but also in the large number of patients with AF undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The challenge is to strike a balance between the increasing risk of bleeding events and ischemic or thrombotic events. Until recently, guidelines were based on expert consensus and a few small, many of them retrospective, trials. A so-called triple therapy with a vitamin K antagonist (VKA) and dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and clopidogrel was recommended for patients with AF undergoing PCI in stable coronary artery disease or for those with ACS. However, severe bleeding complications remain a major issue during triple therapy, particularly in the growing aging population. In the past year, randomized controlled trials (RCT) with direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have modified the standard use of care, now favoring dual therapy with DOACs. This review elucidates the current influential RCTs on the new antiplatelet and anticoagulation strategies for patients with AF undergoing PCI or with ACS, and discusses whether triple therapy is still required.