Background: Previous case studies have reported reversal of acute renal failure after pericardiocentesis in pericardial effusion. This study examines the effects of pericardiocentesis on pre-procedural low cardiac output and acute renal dysfunction in patients with pericardial effusion. Methods: This is a retrospective study of 95 patients undergoing pericardiocentesis between 2015 and 2020. Pre- and post-procedure transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE) were reviewed for evidence of cardiac tamponade, resolution of pericardial effusion, and for estimation of right atrial (RA) pressure and cardiac output. Laboratory values were compared at presentation and post-procedure. Patients on active renal replacement therapy were excluded. Results: Ninety-five patients were included for analysis (mean age 62.2±17.8 years, 58% male). There was a significant increase in glomerular filtration rate pre- and post-procedure. Fifty-six patients (58.9%) had an improvement in glomerular filtration rate after pericardiocentesis (termed “responders”), and these patients had a lower pre-procedure glomerular filtration rate than “non-responders”. Forty-four patients (46.3%) had a greater than 10% improvement in glomerular filtration rate. There was a significant improvement in estimated cardiac output and right atrial pressure for patients in both groups. Patients who had an improvement in renal function had significantly lower pre-procedural diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure. Conclusions: Pericardial drainage may improve effusion-mediated acute renal dysfunction by reducing right atrial pressure and thus systemic venous congestion, and by increasing forward stroke volume and perfusion pressure.

Background: In atrial fibrillation patients undergoing left atrial appendage occlusion with a Watchman device, surveillance imaging with a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is typically performed at 45 days and 1 year to evaluate for device-related thrombus (DRT) and peri-device leak (PDL) before cessation of oral anticoagulation. The incidence of these complications is relatively low, and the ideal timing and duration of surveillance is unknown. We sought to evaluate the incidence of DRT and PDL after Watchman placement at 45 days and 1 year to determine the necessity of surveillance TEEs. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 361 patients who received a Watchman device between January 2016 and January 2020. Baseline clinical and echocardiographic data, post-procedure antithrombotic therapy and surveillance echocardiographic data were collected from the NCDR LAAO Registry. Nested backward variable elimination regression was performed to derive independent predictors of the composite outcome of DRT and PDL. Results: A total of 286 patients who had post-procedure TEEs were included in the analysis. At 45 days, 9 patients had DRT (3.2%) and 44 patients had PDL (15.0%). At 1 year, 5 patients had DRT (5.6%) and 8 patients had PDL (8.9%). All DRT at 45 days was treated with continued anticoagulation while no change in protocol occurred with PDL. All DRT at 1 year occurred in new patients without prior thrombus. A history of prior transient ischemic attack (TIA) and thromboembolism were significantly associated with DRT or PDL at 1 year. Conclusions: We identified several patients with device-related complications at 45 days and 1 year despite appropriate device sizing and adequate use of antithrombotic therapy. The incidence of DRT increased from 45 days to 1 year and occurred in patients without prior thrombus. These findings highlight the importance of surveillance imaging and suggest the potential need for extended surveillance in select patients.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction increases mortality in patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI) in degenerated bioprostheses, annuloplasty rings, and native mitral valves. We aimed to evaluate the left ventricular outflow tract area after TMVI using 3-diensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and to investigate the pre-procedural cardiac geometry affects the LVOT area after TMVI. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed echocardiography data in 43 patients who had TMVI. A change in pressure gradient across LVOT from before to after TMVI (∆PG) and post-procedure 3D cross sectional area (CSA) at the level of the most distal portion of the mitral valve stent that was closest to the LV apex were assessed as evidence of LVOT narrowing. Results: TMVI with the use of balloon-expandable valve system was performed for 24 bioprostheses, 7 annuloplasty rings, and 12 native valves. Compared to patients without increase in LVOT gradient (∆PG <10 mmHg; n=33), patients with increase in LVOT gradient (∆PG ≥10 mmHg; n=10) had smaller LV end-systolic volume (LVESV), greater LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and smaller aorto-mitral (AM) angle. CSA at the valve stent distal edge showed strong association with ∆PG (r=-0.68, P<0.0001). Only small AM angle was associated with small CSA at the valve stent ventricular edge on multivariable analysis, independent of LVESV and LVEF. Conclusion: Pre-procedural AM angle as well as LVESV and LVEF were associated with LVOT narrowing in patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve, valve-in-ring, and valve-in-native valve implantation. These data may be useful for preprocedural planning.