Safety and Outcomes of Inferior Vena Cava Filter Placement in Oncology Patients: A Single-Centre Experience

The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the oncology population is significantly higher than in non-cancer patients. Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters may, therefore, be an important part of VTE treatment. In this study, we address the outcomes of placing IVC filters in the oncology population. This single-centre, observational, retrospective study included 62 patients with active malignancy and acute VTE who underwent an IVC filter implantation due to contraindications to anticoagulation during the period 2012-2023. The control group consisted of 117 trauma patients. In both groups, an urgent surgical procedure requiring temporary cessation of anticoagulation was the most noted reason for IVC filter placement-76% in the oncology group vs. 100% in the non-oncology group (p < 0.001). No complications were reported during the IVC filter implantation procedures. There was no recurrence of pulmonary embolism or deep venous thrombosis in the oncology group after filter implantation. The rate of successful filter explantation, median time to retrieval, and abnormal findings during retrieval were not significantly different between both subgroups (64.3% vs. 76.5%, p = 0.334; 77 days vs. 84 days, p = 0.764; 61.5% vs. 54.2%, p = 0.672; respectively). The study showed that IVC filter placement is a safe and effective method of preventing PE in cancer patients with contraindications to anticoagulation. The complication rate following IVC filter implantation in cancer patients is low and similar to that in non-oncology patients.

The Utility of a Resting Electrocardiogram (ECG-PH Index) in Evaluating the Efficacy of Pulmonary Endarterectomy in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

BACKGROUND

The ECG-PH index (PH-ECG score) has been proposed as a valuable ECG-derived method of evaluating the effectiveness of balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) is the main form of therapy for CTEPH with a proximal clot location. The objective of this study was to assess the clinical utility of a resting electrocardiogram (ECG-PH index) in assessing the effectiveness of PEA in CTEPH patients.

METHODS

The retrospective analysis included 73 patients who underwent PEA. Their ECG-PH index values were calculated using four ECG parameters: R-wave amplitude V1 + S-wave amplitude V5/V6 > 10.5 mm, QRS-wave axis > 110 degrees, R-wave amplitude V1 > S-wave amplitude V1, and SIQIII pattern. PH-ECG scores were assessed after a median time of 13 months (IQR: 8-31 months) had passed since the PEA procedures.

RESULTS

The current analysis documented that ECG-PH index = 0 is a good reflection of mPAP < 25mmHg (sensitivity 76.1%; specificity 66.7%; positive predictive value 79.5%; negative predictive value 62.1%) or mPAP ≤ 20 mmHg (sensitivity 69.6%; specificity 70.6%; positive predictive value 88.6%; negative predictive value 41.4%) after PEA. The values of the area under the ROC curve for ECG-PH index were 0.772 (95% CI: 0.676-0.867) and 0.743 (95% CI: 0.637-0.849) for the mPAP < 25 mmHg and mPAP ≤ 20 mmHg patient groups, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The ECG-PH index may be useful for monitoring the haemodynamic effect of PEA in CTEPH patients.

Outcomes of COVID-19 in patients vaccinated and unvaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 and suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

INTRODUCTION

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) lead to progressive right heart failure. The mortality rates in PAH and CTEPH patients due to COVID‑19 are high, and vaccination against COVID‑19 is recommended in this group.

OBJECTIVES

We analyzed the incidence and outcomes of COVID‑19in the PAH/CTEPH patients for 2 years of the pandemic, as well as the predictors of worse outcomes of COVID‑19 in this group.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

PAH/CTEPH patient data for this observational, cohort study were obtained from 3 pulmonary hypertension centers between March 11, 2020 and March 11, 2022.

RESULTS

A total of 364 consecutive patients with PAH/CTEPH (248/122; 232 women [64%]; median [interquartile range] age, 61 years [18-92]) were included in the study. All the patients had advanced pulmonary hypertension at baseline. Eighty‑five patients (23%) suffered from COVID‑19. Seven of them (8%), all of whom were unvaccinated, died of COVID‑19. The unvaccinated patients suffered from COVID‑19 more often than the vaccinated ones (46% vs 9%; P <0.001). As many as 31% of the PAH/CTEPH patients with COVID‑19 needed hospitalization, in 8% of cases in the intensive care unit. Age equal to or above 65 years and severe pulmonary hypertension defined as a World Health Organization functional class 3 or 4 were associated with severe COVID‑19 in the PAH/CTEPH patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The vaccinated PAH/CTEPH patients suffered from COVID‑19 less frequently than the unvaccinated ones. The mortality rate and hospitalization due to COVID‑19 were higher in the PAH/CTEPH patients than in the general population. All efforts should be made to convince the PAH/CTEPH patients to vaccinate against COVID‑19.

Prediction of Prognostic Hemodynamic Indices in Pulmonary Hypertension Using Non-Invasive Parameters

Effective targeted therapy of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) requires regular risk stratification. Among many prognostic parameters, three hemodynamic indices: right atrial pressure, cardiac index, and mixed venous saturation are considered critically important for correct risk classification. All of them are measured invasively and require right heart catheterization (RHC). The study was aimed to verify assumption that a model based on non-invasive parameters is able to predict hemodynamic profile described by the mentioned invasive indices. A group of 330 patients with pulmonary hypertension was used for the selection of the best predictors from the set of 17 functional, biochemical, and echocardiographic parameters. Multivariable logistic regression models for the prediction of low-risk and high-risk profiles were created. The cut-off points were determined and subsequent validation of the models was conducted prospectively on another group of 136 patients. The ROC curve analysis showed the very good discrimination power of the models (AUC 0.80-0.99) in the prediction of the hemodynamic profile in the total validation group and subgroups: PAH and CTEPH. The models indicated the risk profiles with moderate sensitivity (57-60%) and high specificity (87-93%). The method enables estimation of the hemodynamic indices when RHC cannot be performed.

Assessment of electrocardiographic markers of acute and long-term hemodynamic improvement in patients with pulmonary hypertension

Background

The remodeling of the right heart in patients with chronic pulmonary hypertension (cPH) is associated with the appearance of electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities. We investigated the resolution of ECG markers of right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) caused by acute and long‐term hemodynamic improvement.

Methods

Twenty‐nine (29) patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and seven patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) were included in the analysis. Patients with CTEPH achieved a significant long‐term hemodynamic improvement following the treatment with balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA); all the patients with PAH reported significant acute hemodynamic relief after a single inhalation of iloprost, fulfilling the criteria of responder. Standard 12‐lead ECG was performed before and after intervention.

Results

The interval between baseline and control ECG in CTEPH and PAH groups was 28 (IQR: 17–36) months and 15 min (IQR: 11–17), respectively. Despite similar hemodynamic improvement in both groups, only the CTEPH group presented significant changes in most analyzed ECG parameters: T‐wave axis (p = .002), QRS‐wave axis (p = .012), P‐wave amplitude (p < .001) and duration in II (p = .049), R‐wave amplitude in V₁ (p = .017), R:S ratio in V₁ (p = .046), S‐wave amplitude in V₅ (p = .004), R‐wave amplitude in V₅ (p = .044), R:S ratio in V₅ (p = .004), S‐wave amplitude in V₆ (p = .026), R‐wave amplitude in V₆ (p = .01), and R‐wave amplitude in aVR (p = .031). In patients with PAH, significant differences were found only for P wave in II (duration: p = .035; amplitude: p = .043) and QRS axis (p = .018).

Conclusions

The effective treatment of cPH ensures improvement in ECG parameters of RVH, but it requires extended time.

The evolution of electrocardiographic signs of right ventricular overload after balloon pulmonary angioplasty in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

INTRODUCTION

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) is a treatment option for a patient with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate the evolution of electrocardiographic (ECG) markers of right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) after BPA.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Standard 12‑lead ECG was performed in 41 patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension before the first BPA and after completion of treatment.

RESULTS

In the whole study group, the percentage change in the pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) after BPA correlated with the percentage change in the values of the following ECG parameters (P <0.05): axis of the QRS (rho = 0.530) and T wave (rho = 0.372); P wave in leads II (rho = 0.340) and III (rho = 0.430); S wave in lead V5 (rho = 0.634); R/S ratio in lead V5 (rho = -0.636); S wave in lead V6 (rho = 0.508); S wave in lead I (rho = 0.496). Then, the group was divided into 2 subgroups: group A, defined as a drop in PVR greater than the median value (49%) for the whole study population; and group B, defined as a drop in PVR below the median value. In group A, the following parameters changed after BPA: T‑wave axis (P <0.001), P wave in lead II (P <0.001), S wave in lead V5 (P <0.001), R/S ratio in lead V5 (P <0.001). In group B, despite some hemodynamic and functional improvement, there were no differences in ECG mark ers of RVH after BPA.

CONCLUSIONS

An improvement in RVH parameters can be observed on ECG after a hemodynamically effective BPA.

Determinants of Survival After Emergency Intrapericardial Cisplatin Treatment in Cancer Patients with Recurrent Hemodynamic Instability After Pericardiocentesis

BACKGROUND

Pericardial effusion is associated with high mortality in oncology. The etiology of infectious pericarditis and iatrogenic effects of previous radio-/chemotherapy may be always suspected, especially when a subsequent episode is observed.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 17 hemodynamically-unstable patients with cancer due to recurrent pericardial bloody effusion after previous pericardiocentesis and analyzed survival determinants after intrapericardial chemotherapy with cisplatin.

RESULTS

The mortality rate was not significantly associated with the level of N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide, low hemoglobin (<12 g/dl), elevated white blood cell account (>10⁴/μl), large volume (>1500 ml) and long duration (>8 days) of pericardial drainage, cardiac arrhythmias, positive culture test results nor fever occurring during cisplatin administration. Subsequent systemic anticancer therapy was the strongest factor determining a longer survival (hazard ratio(HR)=0.31, 95% confidence interval(CI)=0.11-0.9; p=0.03).

CONCLUSION

Efficacy of rescue intrapericardial chemotherapy with cisplatin is independent of parameters of hemodynamic instability and levels of inflammatory markers in recurrent pericardial effusion.

Changing the strategy of balloon pulmonary angioplasty resulted in a reduced complication rate in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. A single-centre European experience

BACKGROUND AND AIM

To assess the safety and efficacy of a refined balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) strategy in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).

METHODS

There were 157 BPA sessions performed in 56 CTEPH patients (47 non-operable, nine after pulmonary endarterectomy; aged 58.6 ± 17.9 years; 28 females) with severely impaired pulmonary haemodynamics (mean pulmonary artery pressure [mPAP]: 51.3 ± 12.2 mm Hg, pulmonary vascular resistance [PVR]: 10.1 ± 3.9 Wood Units). The first 50 sessions aimed to recanalise chronic occlusions and prevent reocclusion with aggressive anticoagulation. The next 107 sessions aimed to relieve "web" and "ring" lesions using reduced tip load guidewires and less intensive anticoagulation.

RESULTS

There was significant reduction in haemoptysis (22% vs. 7%, p = 0.01), vessel injury (30% vs. 13%, p = 0.01), and reperfusion pulmonary injuries (22% vs. 4%, p = 0.01) after changing the BPA strategy. Mortality at 14 days was also reduced (6% vs. 0%; p = 0.05). The cumulative survival rate was 94.6% at 24 months after the first BPA, which was more favourable than medically treated historic controls. In the 31 patients with > 3 BPA sessions, there was significant reduction of PVR (10.3 ± 3.7 vs. 5.9 ± 2.8 Wood Units; p = 0.01), mPAP (50.7 ± 10.8 vs. 35.6 ± 9.3 mm Hg; p = 0.01) and improvement in World Health Organisation functional class (3.19 ± 0.48 vs. 1.97 ± 0.80; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty improves haemodynamics and outcome but requires refined strategy to limit early complication rate.

[Arrythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in patient with abnormal origin of right coronary artery and ventricular tachycardia during exercises]

A 18-year-old patient with abnormal origin of right coronary artery and ventricular tachycardia during exercises is presented. Myocardial biopsy revealed arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.