Acta cardiologica最新文献

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a primary contributor to coronary artery disease (CAD). Insulin resistance (IR) is a hallmark of T2DM and a significant risk factor for the progression of CAD. The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a new alternative indicator to identify IR. We aimed to explore the association between the TyG index and severity of CAD in patients with T2DM.

Methods: 280 inpatients with T2DM were enrolled from November 2019 to November 2022, classified into the CAD group (n = 175) and non-CAD group (n = 105). The TyG index and SYNTAX score were calculated. According to SYNTAX score, patients were further classified into the mid-CAD group (n = 97) and moderate to severe CAD group (n = 78).

Results: A significant positive correlation between the TyG index and SYNTAX score was found in the CAD group (r = 0.70, p < 0.01). The TyG index predicted the presence of moderate to severe CAD significantly, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.79 (95% CI: 0.71-0.85, p < 0.01). The higher LDL-C and TyG index, the higher risk of developing moderate to severe CAD (OR = 4.40, 95% CI 1.28 - 15.16, p = 0.02; OR = 9.00, 95% CI 3.69 - 21.96, p < 0.01).

Conclusions: There was a significantly positive correlation between the TyG index and SYNTAX score in T2DM patients who developed CAD; the TyG index could predict a mid/high SYNTAX score (≥ 23) and increase the risk of moderate to severe CAD.

Atrial fibrillation is a chronic progressive disease and is the most common arrhythmia in adults. It is a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The EAST-AFNET 4 trial demonstrated that rhythm control in patients with early atrial fibrillation significantly reduces cardiovascular outcomes compared to usual care. The effectiveness of early rhythm control is predominantly mediated by the presence of sinus rhythm and early rhythm control is more effective in patients with multiple comorbidities. Studies such as STOP-AF First, Cryo-FIRST, EARLY-AF and its 3-year follow-up trial demonstrate that first-line catheter ablation is more effective in maintaining sinus rhythm than anti-arrhythmic drug therapy. These findings are leading to a paradigm shift in the electrophysiology community in favour of early rhythm control with catheter ablation when feasible.

Background: Mediastinal cysts are common mediastinal lesions in which diagnostic and therapeutic choices are not always unambiguously presented. Usually, these cysts are asymptomatic and detected by coincidence. The question remains whether, if symptoms are present, the cyst is responsible and whether it should be treated. Unfortunately, there is a lack of standardised guidelines concerning diagnostic, therapeutic management and follow-up.

Case summary: In this case series we reported five patients with mediastinal cysts. All patients received a thoracic CT during the initial diagnostic assessment. Four out of five patients were symptomatic and were surgically treated during a uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopy. One patient was asymptomatic and receives a biennial follow-up. Most often, histopathological examination confirmed the already presumed type of non-neoplastic mediastinal cyst based on anatomical location and tissue characteristics (one thymic cyst, one bronchogenic cyst and two pericardial cysts). Except for one patient, all surgically treated patients experienced improvement in symptoms.

Conclusion: Regarding diagnosis and treatment of this entity, a systematic approach in accordance with the most recent literature is important. The diagnosis can only be confirmed on histopathological examination, but several imaging techniques, with contrast-enhanced CT as the first-choice technique, could guide the differential diagnosis. In large, symptomatic cysts or present potential malignant features, surgical removal is indicated. This case series encourages further substantial research concerning the selection and timing of therapy.