The recent widespread availability and use of mechanical circulatory support is transforming the management and outcomes of cardiogenic shock (CS). Clinical decision-making regarding the optimization of therapies for patients with CS can be guided effectively by hemodynamic monitoring with a pulmonary artery catheter (PAC). Because several studies regarding the benefit of PACs are ambiguous, the use of PACs is variable among clinicians treating patients with CS. More notable is that PAC use has not been studied as part of a randomized, controlled trial in patients with CS with or without mechanical circulatory support. Standardized approaches to hemodynamic monitoring in these patients can improve decision-making and outcomes. In this review, we summarize the hemodynamics of CS and mechanical circulatory support with PAC-derived measurements, and provide a compelling rationale for the use of PAC monitoring in patients with CS receiving mechanical circulatory support.
A 49-year-old man presented to the emergency room after a cardiac arrest. On arrival, the patient’s ECG showed ST-segment elevations in the aVR and anteroseptal leads with diffuse ST depression suggestive of left main coronary artery occlusion. Subsequent coronary catheterisation showed normal coronaries but revealed severe stenosis of his bicuspid aortic valve. A surgical replacement of the aortic valve was performed, and the patient recovered successfully.
Right ventricular infarction can precipitate severe right-to-left shunting and refractory hypoxia from a previously dormant patent foramen ovale. Right ventricle mechanical circulatory support and patent foramen ovale closure can play a crucial role in the treatment of hypoxia and right ventricular recovery. We report a case of successful percutaneous patent foramen ovale closure on right ventricle mechanical circulatory support in a patient with right ventricular shock. (
Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.
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Background. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic respiratory disorder associated with repeated nocturnal partial or complete collapse that is often underdiagnosed and associated with multiple comorbidities. The association between specific features on an electrocardiogram and OSA has not been well studied. This retrospective study attempts to bridge this gap in knowledge. Methods. A total of 265 patients’ medical records were reviewed retrospectively. Specific features of their electrocardiograms and their association with the severity of OSA were studied from April 2014 to May 2016. 215 patients were included in the final analysis. Tests of group difference between OSA patients and controls were done using student’s t-tests for continuous variables and using chi-square tests for categorical outcomes. Multivariate tests of differences between OSA and control patients were done using logistic regression to control for possible confounding factors. Results. A total of 215 patients with diagnosed OSA and 41 controls in whom OSA was ruled out using polysomnography were compared. Males were more likely to present with OSA than females (93 % versus 76 %; p < 0.001). OSA patients were also significantly older: 52.18 ± 14.04 versus 44.55 ± 14.64; p = 0.002. Deep S waves in V5-6 (p=0.014) and RS pattern with Deep S waves in leads I and AVF (p=0.017) were both significantly associated with OSA based on univariate comparisons. These findings lost significance in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion. The idea of using an electrocardiogram in aiding in the assessment of OSA is attractive and feasible, as it is a safe, noninvasive, and cost-effective method. Our results can be used for early risk stratification in patients with OSA.
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