An Interventional Odyssey: The Importance of Planning and Prompt Recognition and Treatment of Complications During a Complex Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention

Despite significant progress, chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) are often challenging and carry increased risk of complications. We present a highly complex CTO PCI case that was successfully completed despite numerous complications (perforation, donor vessel closure, stent loss, guide extension tip fracture, access site bleeding and cardiac arrest) to highlight the importance of appropriate patient selection, pre-procedural planning, comprehensive patient-centered risk/benefit discussion, and prompt recognition and treatment of intra-procedural complications.

Food insecurity and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk in adults with diabetes

OBJECTIVES

Adults with diabetes are at an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and food insecurity may be a major and underappreciated risk compounder in this population. We sought to analyze the prevalence of food insecurity and its association with ASCVD in adults with diabetes.

METHODS

A total of 6424 participants with diabetes were included from the 2019 and 2020 National Health Interview Survey. Food insecurity was determined with a 10-question U.S. Adult Food Security Survey Module, and classified as high, marginal, low, and very low. ASCVD was defined as a self-reported history of coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, or stroke.

RESULTS

Of the 6424 included participants (weighted: n = 21 690 217), 5 405 543 (24.4%) reported a history of ASCVD and 2 946 061 (13.3%) were identified as food insecure (low or very low food security). Adults with food insecurity were more likely to have ASCVD than adults who were food secure (28.9% vs 23.7%; P = 0.008). In the multivariate analyses adjusted for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, all levels of food insecurity were associated with ASCVD compared with food-secure adults (marginal security: odds ratio [OR]: 1.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18-2.18]; P = 0.003; low security: OR: 2.09; 95% CI, 1.58-2.74]; P < 0.001; very low security: OR: 1.69; 95% CI, 1.22-2.34]; P = 0.001). The association persisted when adjusted for income, location, education, and insurance status. In adults with diabetes and ASCVD, income was a negative factor for food insecurity (OR: 0.71; 95% CI, 0.62-0.80; P < 0.001), but female sex and smoking were positive factors (OR: 1.90; 95% CI, 1.29-2.80; P = 0.001; and OR: 1.97; 95% CI, 1.23-3.18; P = 0.005; respectively). At younger ages, the prevalence of food insecurity increased, especially in adults with ASCVD.

CONCLUSIONS

We showed that 13% of U.S. adults with diabetes are food insecure, which was associated with ASCVD independent of traditional and socioeconomic risk factors. Our findings emphasize the importance of recognizing food insecurity as a driver of ASCVD in adults with diabetes, and encourage future efforts at reducing this disparity.

Role of Coronary CT Angiography in the Evaluation of Acute Chest Pain and Suspected or Confirmed Acute Coronary Syndrome

Advances in CT technology have resulted in improved imaging of the coronary anatomy in patients with stable coronary artery disease, using coronary CT angiography (CCTA). Recent data suggest that CCTA may play a role in higher risk patients, such as those evaluated in the emergency room with acute chest pain. Data thus far support the use of CCTA in low-risk patients with acute chest pain. Recent literature suggests that CCTA may play a role in the risk stratification of selected intermediate-risk patients. In this review, the authors discuss the emerging role of CCTA in higher risk patients, such as those with suspected or confirmed acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The excellent accuracy of CCTA in detecting obstructive coronary artery disease in patients with ACS is detailed, along with a highlighting of the safety of using CCTA in this setting. The authors also discuss the role for CCTA atheromatous plaque characterization, which is being increasingly recognized as an important predictor of clinical outcomes.

COVID-19 Vaccination-Induced Cardiomyopathy Requiring Permanent Left Ventricular Assist Device

Myocarditis was identified as a rare but serious adverse event that can occur after mRNA-based coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination, particularly in young males. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we report a case of a young obese male without multiple comorbidities who presented with abdominal pain and was found to have severe myocarditis/cardiomyopathy, which was likely due to mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination. The patient had left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation during hospitalization. Myocarditis/cardiomyopathy may be a rare complication of the mRNA-based COVID vaccine; however, one should maintain a high index of suspicion that these vaccines may cause irreversible cardiomyopathy if the patient had prior COVID-19 infection.

Diaphragmatic pacemaker-induced ventricular tachycardia leading to cardiac arrest: a case report

Background

Diaphragmatic pacemakers are used to assist respiration in ventilator-dependent patients. Electromagnetic interference with intrinsic cardiac electrical activity is a theoretical risk but has never been reported in the literature. This case highlights a serious complication of cardiac arrest as a result of diaphragmatic pacing.

Case summary

We report a quadriplegic patient with recent diaphragmatic pacemaker implantation who presented with ventricular tachycardia leading to cardiac arrest. Extensive workup was negative for other aetiologies for ventricular arrhythmias. Reduction of the left-sided diaphragmatic pacemaker voltage resulted in cessation of ventricular ectopy.

Discussion

Diaphragmatic pacing at high voltages can cause unwanted transmission of impulses to the cardiac myocytes as a rare complication. This should be noted as a possible complication of intramuscular diaphragmatic pacing, and efforts should be taken to circumvent this risk in the future.

Ultrasound: patients' views

There is virtually nothing in the literature about patients' perceptions and misconceptions regarding sonography. From January to June, 1979, 204 patients at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City were asked to fill out questionnaires before and after their sonographic examinations. The results showed that many of the first-time patients did not know what to expect, had never heard of ultrasound, and were incorrectly prepared for the examination. Education of both patients and physicians is needed to prevent unnecessary patient anxiety and to encourage the use of this safe and accurate diagnostic modality.