American journal of cardiovascular disease最新文献

Background: Measurement of the QT interval in the ECG (QT interval) is important in evaluating risk for cardiac death and for assessing the impact of drugs on the heart. The objective of this study is to determine whether the time of day affects the QT interval, QT interval variability and whether these relationships are influenced by an individual's sex.

Methods: Twenty-four hour ECGs were analyzed in detail on 50 individuals, 49 years of age, without evidence of coronary artery disease, structural heart disease, or significant arrhythmias. Four different QT-heart rate adjustment formulae were calculated and compared.

Results: There were significant (P=0.0014) differences between the QT-heart rate relationship during three different time-periods (night 00:00 to 08:00 h, day 08:00 to 14:00 h and evening 14:00 to 24:00 h). Women, compared to men, had a steeper relation of QT to RR interval indicating that when heart rate slows at night, the QT interval is more prolonged which is consistent with a greater susceptibility to fatal arrhythmias. The variability of the QT interval (the SD) was significantly (P<0.01) greater in men than women at night and in the evening but not during the day. There were differences in the ability of different QT heart rate adjustment formulae to blunt the effect of heart rate changes on the QT interval during the day.

Conclusion: The time of the day that the QT interval is assessed should be considered. The QT heart rate relationship is different in women than in men especially at night. QT interval variability is greater at night especially in men. There are differences in the ability of QT heart rate adjustment formulae to blunt the effect of heart rate on the QT interval. Differences in the QTc at night might be the basis for the higher prevalence of sudden death in women at night.

Aortic dissection (AD) is a serious disease with a higher mortality. The thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is a first line regimen for aortic dissection. Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) is a rare disease, and its definite mechanism is unknown. This is a rare association between the aortic and HPVG. In the present report, we present a case of thoracic aortic dissection, which was the type of Standford B by the computer tomography (CT) angiography, which implicated acute abdominal pain and abdominal distention after TEVAR and immediate abdominal CT shown hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG). The patient, who was treated with conservative treatment of gastrointestinal decompressing, fluid resuscitation, electrolyte replacement, anti-infection, anti-inflammation and anticoagulation, was recovered and discharged without abnormalities. This patient has been followed up for 5 years and has not experienced any physical discomfort related to HPVG. This is the first report that the aortic dissection patient implication with HPVG after thoracic endovascular aortic repair.

Background: Takotsubo syndrome is comparable to microvascular acute coronary syndrome. It may partly share the same pathophysiology debated during scorpion envenomation (SE), with an adrenergic storm, without myocardial infarction due to the absence of coronary artery stenosis. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy can help to better understand the pathophysiology of cardiac involvement during scorpion envenomation. However, Takotsubo syndrome seems to be underestimated in the literature in patients suffering from cardiac failure following SE.

Methods: In this review, we aimed to detail all described cases, the mechanism, and outcomes of scorpion envenomation complicated by Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. We used the PubMed database by using the following keywords in MeSH research: scorpion envenomation, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, and Takotsubo syndrome.

Results: The literature analysis showed the existence of only four cases of confirmed Takotsubo cardiomyopathy following severe SE. All four patients developed a transient reversible left ventricular systolic dysfunction in the absence of coronary artery disease, following a positive history of scorpion envenomation. A cardiac MRI was performed in all cases, showing a ballooning in the left ventricle associated with a left ventricular ejection fraction in all cases. All patients were improved under symptomatic treatment, and complete recovery of the wall motion was observed.

Conclusion: Takotsubo syndrome, although not often reported in the literature in severe SE, can represent an effective hypothesis explaining the pathophysiology of cardiac involvement during SE. In severe scorpion envenomation, multiple mechanisms exist and can explain the development of Takotsubo syndrome. Its management is based on oxygen, with invasive or non-invasive ventilator support in patients with respiratory failure and/or cardiogenic shock. Beta-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and diuretics are usually used in Takotsubo syndrome. However, in severe scorpion envenomation, all reported cases of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy are associated with cardiogenic shock and acute pulmonary edema. As a consequence, we advise the use of Dobutamine since it has already been confirmed that cardiac dysfunction following scorpion envenomation improves well and safely under Dobutamine infusion.

Background: The characteristics of high-risk coronary atherosclerosis evaluated using optical coherence tomography (OCT) can have a prognostic role. Inflammatory biomarkers may be related to the severity of coronary artery disease. This study investigated the association of high-risk morphological features of coronary plaques on OCT with circulating levels of inflammatory biomarkers and target lesion revascularization (TLR).

Materials and methods: We prospectively analyzed the data of 30 consecutive patients with chronic coronary syndrome who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using OCT. The levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, pentraxin 3, vascular endothelial growth factor, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were measured in plasma samples. Coronary plaque characteristics were scored quantitatively in the form of coronary plaque risk score (CPRS). The estimated high-risk plaque characteristics for TLR were plaque rupture, plaque erosion, calcified nodule, lipid-rich plaque, thin-cap fibroatheroma, cholesterol crystals, macrophage infiltration, microchannels, calcification angle >90°, and microcalcifications. Each high-risk feature carries 1 point. Patients were defined as having a low CPRS (CPRS ≤3) or a high CPRS (CPRS ≥4).

Results: The primary outcome was TLR. TLR occurred in 6 (20%) patients within 15 months of PCI. High CPRS on OCT was directly correlated with TLR (P=0.029). In logistic regression analysis, CPRS was associated with TLR (odds ratio, 10.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.34-74.5). Serum MCP-1 level was significantly correlated with the CPRS (P=0.020).

Conclusions: In patients with chronic coronary syndrome, CPRS may be a surrogate predictor of TLR. Serum MCP-1 may aid in the detection of high-risk coronary atherosclerosis.

Background: Women have unique risk factors for heart disease and a higher risk of cardiovascular mortality. Heart failure (HF) prevalence in women is affected by age, pregnancy, and menopause. More understanding of HF etiology, management, and outcome in women is needed.

Method: a retrospective study of women diagnosed with HF following at a heart function clinic (HFC) in a tertiary cardiac center.

Results: A total of 1988 HF patients were screened. Women accounted for 561 (28.2%). The mean age at first HF presentation was 47.7 ± 17.9 years. The most common diagnosis was HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF ≤ 40%) 473 (84%). The most frequent cause of HF was dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in 304 patients (54.2%). Prevalence of diabetes (DM) was 272 (48.5%), hypertension (HTN) 267 (47.6%), and body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 was 332 (59%). Adverse pregnancy events included miscarriages 151 (38.6%), preeclampsia 15 (3.8%), and spontaneous coronary dissection 3 (0.8%). Left ventricle recovery to EF ≥ 50% occurred in 116 (20.7%) patients, while death occurred in 32 (5.7%) patients during follow-up. Women living with chronic HF were 240 (42.8%). The use of beta-blockers occurred in (96%), renin-angiotensin enzyme inhibitors (86.6%), mineralocorticoids (55.4%), and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (31.6%). Women who had a heart transplant were 19 (3.75%).

Conclusion: Referral to specialized heart function clinics remains low for women. There is high burden of obesity among women and the majority of women have chronic HF but advanced HF therapy consideration is low in women.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the number of bypassed vessels, the duration of Cardiopulmonary bypass, blood transfusion requirements, revision rates, and mortality outcomes. The objective was to get insights into the potential challenges that may arise during the postoperative phase.

Methods: Our study covered a total of 677 patients from January 2015 to January 2021. The study and analysis focused on many factors including the surgical procedure, the number of bypassed vessels, transfusion requirements, comorbidities, revision rates, the administration of blood thinners, and early mortality.

Results: Male patients numbered 513 and female patients 164. The combined coronary artery bypass grafting surgeries were 187, whereas the isolated ones were 490. Combination procedures traditionally used one- and two-vessel bypass grafting. 30.9% of patients had three vessels, while 31.6% had four. The typical blood transfusion has 4.2 erythrocytes. Fresh frozen plasma averaged 2.9 units, platelets 2.4 units, and whole fresh blood 2.6 units. The average cardiopulmonary bypass time was 145.1 and cross-clamp time was 89.3.

Conclusion: Six vessel bypasses have the highest revision rate. Transfusion rises with longer cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamp periods. Using acetylsalicylic acid before surgery increases the need for fresh frozen plasma and platelets. However, warfarin sodium increases the need for fresh frozen plasma and increases mortality. The revision highly linked with total CPB, cross-clamp times, all blood transfusions, and mortality.

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the leading cause of valvular heart disease in underdeveloped nations. It remains a significant public health issue in Sub-Saharan African countries. This study aimed to determine the pattern, severity, and complications of RHD in Somalia. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of all patients diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease. A total of 8526 echocardiographic examinations were done in our center over a two-year study period from January 2020 to December 2021. Patients with congenital cardiac disease, post-operative cases, myxomatous and old age degenerative disease were all excluded. Of 433 patients, 286 (66.1%) were female, and the mean age was 46.5 ± 20.3. The isolated mitral valve (MV) affected 222 (51.3%). Dual involvement of mitral and aortic valve (AV) was present in 190 (44%). Overall isolated or combined valve involvement, mitral regurgitation (MR) was the most common valve lesion 345 (79.7%), followed by mitral stenosis (MS) 160 (37%). According to the severity of lesions, severe MR was 230 (53.1%) patients, followed by severe MS (n=129, 29.8%). The most common complication of RHD depicted in our study were secondary pulmonary hypertension and enlarged left atrium, 23.8% (n=103) and 19.6% (n=85), respectively. In conclusion, in our study majority of RHD patients were females. Both isolated and in combination, MV was the most commonly affected, and mitral regurgitation was the most common valvular lesion. In our study high percentage of patients already had complications at the time of diagnosis.

Introduction: The first-generation Watchman 2.5 (W 2.5)^TM presented several limitations, such as challenges in implantation within complex left atrial appendage (LAA) anatomies, higher incidence of peri-device leak, device recapture, and device-related thrombus (DRT). The newer generation Watchman FLX (W-FLX)^TM was introduced with a modified design aiming to overcome these limitations. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to conduct a comparative assessment of the safety and efficacy of the W-FLX and 2.5 devices in clinical practice.

Method: The meta-analysis was conducted according to the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA). Studies were located through a search strategy utilizing PubMed, Cochrane, Google scholar and MEDLINE from inception to March 2023, with a primary objective to compare the safety and efficacy of the W-FLX and W 2.5 devices. After applying the selection criteria, five studies were included in this analysis.

Results: The analysis included five studies comprising 54,727 patients. The W-FLX is associated with an increase in procedural success (OR 7.49 [95% CI 1.98-28.26, P = 0.02; I² = 0%]), and a significant reduction in mortality (OR 0.52 [95% CI 0.51-0.54, P<0.01; I² = 0%], major bleeding 0.57 [95% CI 0.51-0.64, P<0.01; I² = 0%]), device embolism (OR 0.35 [95% CI 0.18-0.70, P = 0.02; I² = 0%]), and pericardial effusion (OR 0.33 [95% CI 0.26-0.41, P<0.01; I² = 0%]). The rates of DRT and stroke were similar between the two groups.

Conclusion: Compared to the W 2.5, the W-FLX was associated with a higher procedural success rate and significantly reduced adverse outcomes including mortality, major bleeding, device embolization, and pericardial effusion.

Background: The purpose of this research was to investigate and compare the utilization of the revised Geneva score, original PESI, and simplified PESI in predicting the long-term mortality rate of patients with pulmonary embolism (PE).

Methods: This retrospective investigation was conducted in Isfahan between June 2014 and July 2015 on patients with PE who were referred to our medical center. In this study, the revised Geneva score, the original PESI scales, and the simplified PESI scales were utilized. Additionally, diagnostic and treatment procedures were done in accordance with the standard protocol. We collected data of patients including gender, age, any risk factors for venous thromboembolism. After the primary data collection, contacts were made to the patients or their relatives for gathering information about patient's survival. The mortality rates of patients were determined within 10 years after the PE.

Results: We analyzed data of 224 patients. Over a 131-month course of following up 224 patients, 105 deaths occurred that were related to PE. The initial PESI factor had a positive and negative predictive value of 83%. Patients with PE who scored extremely high on the PESI had a mortality and morbidity rate 42 times (9.22-87.32) greater than those with PE who scored very low. Furthermore, the death and morbidity rate of high-risk PE patients was 5% (0.67-1.70) in the Geneva score and 62% (0.30-2.31) in the simplified PESI score.

Conclusion: The use of original PESI score could predict the long-term mortality of PE patients more accurately than other scores.

Sarcoidosis and systemic sclerosis are two inflammatory multisystemic disorders of unknown etiology that may be life-threatening especially when there is cardiac involvement. Both diseases may coexist, however, there are very few case reports of patients with both cardiac sarcoidosis and systemic sclerosis in the literature. We report the case of a 72-year-old female who was initially referred for dyspnea. A chest computed tomography scan showed multiple hilar and mediastinal adenopathy with a non-specific opacity in the middle pulmonary lobe. FDG-PET-scan showed increased FDG uptake in the adenopathy, the middle lobe and the right ventricular free wall. Sarcoidosis was confirmed with a lung biopsy. Both electrocardiogram and echocardiogram were normal. Four months later, the patient developed a high-grade atrioventricular block deemed secondary to her cardiac sarcoidosis. Two years later, the patient was referred to a rheumatologist for severe Raynaud's symptoms, sclerodactyly and acrocyanosis. After thorough investigations, a diagnosis of limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis with systemic and cardiac sarcoidosis was made. This case demonstrates that both cardiac sarcoidosis and systemic sclerosis may coexist. In the literature, either disease may come first. In cases where cardiac symptoms appear after the diagnosis of concomitant sarcoidosis and systemic sclerosis, it might be difficult for clinicians to confirm which disease is responsible for the heart involvement. This is important since early cardiac sarcoidosis treatment should be done to prevent major complications and may well differ from systemic sclerosis treatment. In this review, we discuss the main clinical manifestations and imaging findings seen with cardiac disease secondary to sarcoidosis and systemic sclerosis.