The impact of coronavirus disease, 2019 (COVID-19), has been profound. Though COVID-19 primarily affects the respiratory system, it has also been associated with a wide range of cardiovascular (CV) manifestations portending extremely poor prognosis. The principal hypothesis for CV involvement is through direct myocardial infection and systemic inflammation. We conducted a systematic review of the current literature to provide a foundation for understanding the CV manifestations and outcomes of COVID-19. PubMed and EMBASE databases were electronically searched from the inception of the databases through 27 April 2020. A second literature review was conducted to include major trials and guidelines that were published after the initial search but before submission. The inclusion criteria for studies to be eligible were case reports, case series, and observation studies reporting CV outcomes among patients with COVID-19 infection. This review of the current COVID-19 disease and CV outcomes literature revealed a myriad of CV manifestations with potential avenues for treatment and prevention. Future studies are required to understand on a more mechanistic level the effect of COVID-19 on the myocardium and thus provide avenues to improve mortality and morbidity.
1 March 2021 in The American Journal of Cardiology
Background: There is a paucity of data on the feasibility of same‐day discharge (SDD) following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) at a national level. Methods and Results: This study used data from the Nationwide Readmission Database from the fourth quarter of 2015 through 2019 and identified patients undergoing TAVI using the claim code 02RF3. A total of 158 591 weighted hospitalizations for TAVI were included in the analysis. Of the patients undergoing TAVI, 961 (0.6%) experienced SDD. Non‐SDDs included 65 814 (41.5%) patients who underwent TAVI who were discharged the next day, and 91 816 (57.9%) discharged on the second or third day. The 30‐day readmission rate for SDD after TAVI was similar to non‐SDD TAVI (9.8% versus 8.9%, P =0.31). The cumulative incidence of 30‐day readmissions for SDD was higher compared with next‐day discharge (log‐rank P =0.01) but comparable to second‐ or third‐day discharge (log‐rank P =0.66). At 30 days, no differences were observed in major or minor vascular complications, heart failure, or ischemic stroke for SDD compared with non‐SDD. Acute kidney injury, pacemaker implantation, and bleeding complications were lower with SDD. Predictors associated with SDD included age <85 years, male sex, and prior pacemaker placement, whereas left bundle‐branch block, right bundle‐branch block, second‐degree heart block, heart failure, prior percutaneous coronary intervention, and atrial fibrillation were negatively associated with SDD. Conclusions: SDD following TAVI is associated with similar 30‐day readmission and complication rates compared with non‐SDD. Further prospective studies are needed to assess the safety and feasibility of SDD after TAVI.
1 April 2020 in The American Journal of Cardiology