Acute Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction Research Articles

Abstract 17123: Opioid Withdrawal Causing a Broken Heart!

Introduction: Takotsubo syndrome is a condition characterized by transient acute left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Although it was previously thought of as a benign self-limiting condition, it is now known to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Case: A 26-year-old male patient with past medical history of Fentanyl abuse now on methadone, presented with features of opioid withdrawal. ECG on arrival was normal sinus rhythm with QTc 488 ms. with a troponin of 2.63. Due to excessive agitation and vomiting, he was given IV haloperidol and ondansetron. The patient then became unresponsive and sustained a cardiac arrest. He was found to be in polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and was able to be resuscitated. ECG after resuscitation demonstrated new yamaguchi T waves with a QTc 597 ms and troponin of 6.60. Transthoracic echocardiography subsequently revealed a reduced ejection fraction of 35% with apical hypokinesis, and he was referred for an ischemic evaluation with CTA coronary that showed normal coronary arteries. He was diagnosed with takotsubo cardiomyopathy and was initiated on dapagliflozin, metoprolol succinate and losartan. For opioid dependence, he was prescribed buprenorphine/naloxone being mindful of his QTc and was provided a wearable cardioverter defibrillator on discharge. Final ECG demonstrated QTc of 465 ms. Discussion: Opioid withdrawal is known to cause a high adrenergic state and this catecholamine excess can result in cardiac stunning, creating transient left ventricular dysfunction along with wall motion abnormalities. Patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy typically have normal coronary arteries. Approximately 4.5% of these patients can die during their hospitalization and 4% can die within 30 days of discharge. So, clinicians must keep a high index of suspicion for this syndrome in patients with history of substance use disorder, especially in the setting of troponin elevation.

P189 WHEN A PACEMAKER CAN BE HARMFUL IN A PATIENT WITH COMPLETE AV BLOCK

Abstract The occurrence of complete AV block in patients with aortic valve stenosis is a frequent event and the implantation of a dual–chamber pacemaker is the therapy of choice for these cases. We present the case of an 84–year–old hypertensive diabetic patient hospitalized with heart failure during a severe anemia caused by bleeding duodenal ulcer (Hb < 7g/dl). The patient was treated with blood transfusions, proton pump inhibitors, and endoscopic ulcer treatment with clinical stabilization. However, he presented a third–degree AV block, with a narrow QRS escape rhythm of about 45 bpm. The echocardiogram showed a calcified aortic valve with severe stenosis (transvalvular flow 4m/s, valvular area 0.9 cm2) ( fig1–2), with moderate mitral regurgitation and preserved systolic function (EF 60%). He was therefore subjected to a dual–chamber pacemaker implant. In the hours following the procedure, with heart rate increased to 90 bpm and correct AV synchronism, the patient presented an episode of acute pulmonary edema, treated with diuretics, oxygen and nitrogliceryn. with initial clinical improvement but subsequent new instabilization. The echocardiogram showed worsening of systolic function with septal dyssynergia secondary to electrostimulation and a severe mitral regurgitation (fig 3). The clinical status definitively stabilized only after changing the pacemaker programming to VVI 40 bpm (sentinel mode). The patient repeatedly refused the indications for aortic valve replacement surgery, and was therefore discharged with medical supportive care, third–degree AV block at electrocardiogram and a dual–chamber pacemaker programmed in sentinel VVI to obtain a minimal ventricular pacing. After 24–month follow–up, the patient remains in good clinical conditions, he was never hospitalized again, the third–degree AV block persists with PM stimulation percentages of 5%. This clinical case shows how electrostimulation and increased heart rate, in the presence of aortic outflow obstruction and significant mitral valve disease, can cause very insidious acute left ventricular systolic dysfunction, while restoring correct AV synchrony.

Cardiac involvement in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: single-centre experience.

This study aimed to evaluate electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings, Holter recordings of the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, and to identify prognostic factors for cardiac involvement. We retrospectively reviewed demographic characteristics, medical data, laboratory findings, electrocardiogram and echocardiographic findings, 24-hour Holter recordings, need for an ICU, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. Acute left ventricular systolic dysfunction was defined as left ventricular ejection fraction (EF)≤%55 on echocardiography. Sixty-seven children were included in the study. 24-hour Holters were recorded in 61.2% of the patients and 49.2% were normal. On echocardiographic examination, 14.9% of the patients had systolic dysfunction (EF ≤ 55%). While 32.8% of patients had mild mitral regurgitation, 3% had moderate mitral regurgitation, and 6% had mild aortic regurgitation. There was no statistically significant difference in EF values between the group with arrhythmia in Holter and the group with normal Holter results (p ≥ 0.05). B-type natriuretic peptide was positively correlated with C-reactive protein, ferritin, and fibrinogen. Significant effectivity of the B-type natriuretic peptide value was observed in the differentiation of those with EF ≤ and > 55%. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support was needed for three (4.5%) patients. One patient who died had systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein, D-dimer, ferritin, troponin, and B-type natriuretic peptide were found to be significantly higher in patients with systolic dysfunction. Also, the cut-off value of 1700 pg/ml for B-type natriuretic peptide was significantly effective. These parameters may indicate the severity of the disease but should be supported by prospective studies.

Recent Experience: Corticosteroids as a First-line Therapy in Children With Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome and COVID-19-related Myocardial Damage.

Cardiovascular complications with myocarditis in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection have been reported, but the optimal therapeutic strategy remains unknown. A retrospective cohort study included 19 patients with acute left ventricular systolic dysfunction associated with MIS-C, average years of age 13.2 ± 3.8, treated from April 2020 to April 2021. Treatment failure (TF) was observed in 8 patients (in the intravenous immunoglobulin [IVIG] group 7/10; in the corticosteroid [CS] group 1/9). The independent risk factor for TF was IVIG treatment (odds ratio [OR] 18.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6-222.93, P = 0.02). Patients initially treated with CS became afebrile during in-hospital day 1 (1.5, interquartile range [IQR] 1-2), while IVIG-treated patients became afebrile on in-hospital day 4 (IQR 2-4.25), after CS was added. The C-reactive protein (CRP) significantly declined in CS-treated patients on day 2 (P = 0.01), while in the IVIG group, CRP decreased significantly on the fourth day (P = 0.04). Sodium and albumin levels were higher on third in-hospital day in the CS group than in the IVIG group (P = 0.015, P = 0.03). A significant improvement and normalization of ejection fraction (EF) during the first 3 days was observed only in the CS group (P = 0.005). ICU stays were shorter in the CS group (4, IQR 2-5.5) than in the IVIG group (IVIG group 7, IQR 6-8.5) (P = 0.002). Among children with MIS-C with cardiovascular involvement, treatment with CS was associated with faster normalization of LV EF, fever, laboratory analysis, and shorter ICU than IVIG-treated patients.

High-degree atrioventricular block. An unusual presentation of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: a case report

BackgroundTakotsubo cardiomyopathy is a non-ischemic cardiomyopathy characterized by acute left ventricular systolic dysfunction with transient wall motion abnormalities without a culprit coronary stenosis or other concurrent diagnoses. Its coexistence with transient high-degree AV block is very infrequent.Case presentationA 61-year-old man presented with a new onset of high degree AV block without ST segment deviations developing an anterior and apical dyskinesia with a low left ventricular ejection fraction in the absence of coronary artery disease.ConclusionAtrioventricular block is an uncommon presentation of Takotsubo syndrome. The management of patients with relevant conduction disorders in this scenario is a challenge for the clinician. In case of persistence of advanced conduction disorders, it seems appropriate to implant a pacemaker.

Spectrum of Cardiac Manifestations in COVID-19: A Systematic Echocardiographic Study.

Information on the cardiac manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is scarce. We performed a systematic and comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation of consecutive patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infection. One hundred consecutive patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection underwent complete echocardiographic evaluation within 24 hours of admission and were compared with reference values. Echocardiographic studies included left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function and valve hemodynamics and right ventricular (RV) assessment, as well as lung ultrasound. A second examination was performed in case of clinical deterioration. Thirty-two patients (32%) had a normal echocardiogram at baseline. The most common cardiac pathology was RV dilatation and dysfunction (observed in 39% of patients), followed by LV diastolic dysfunction (16%) and LV systolic dysfunction (10%). Patients with elevated troponin (20%) or worse clinical condition did not demonstrate any significant difference in LV systolic function compared with patients with normal troponin or better clinical condition, but they had worse RV function. Clinical deterioration occurred in 20% of patients. In these patients, the most common echocardiographic abnormality at follow-up was RV function deterioration (12 patients), followed by LV systolic and diastolic deterioration (in 5 patients). Femoral deep vein thrombosis was diagnosed in 5 of 12 patients with RV failure. In COVID-19 infection, LV systolic function is preserved in the majority of patients, but LV diastolic function and RV function are impaired. Elevated troponin and poorer clinical grade are associated with worse RV function. In patients presenting with clinical deterioration at follow-up, acute RV dysfunction, with or without deep vein thrombosis, is more common, but acute LV systolic dysfunction was noted in ≈20%.

Dynamic Augmentation of Left Ventricle and Mitral Valve Function With an Implantable Soft Robotic Device

Left ventricular failure is strongly associated with secondary mitral valve regurgitation. Implantable soft robotic devices are an emerging technology that enables augmentation of a native function of a target tissue. We demonstrate the ability of a novel soft robotic ventricular assist device to dynamically augment left ventricular contraction, provide native pulsatile flow, simultaneously reshape the mitral valve apparatus, and eliminate the associated regurgitation in an Short-term large animal model of acute left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy: acute and reversible left ventricular systolic dysfunction due to cardiotoxicity of hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar state-a case report†.

BackgroundDiabetic cardiomyopathy (DC) is defined as a ventricular diastolic and/or systolic dysfunction, which is directly related to diabetes mellitus (DM) in the absence of coronary artery disease, valvular, congenital or hypertensive heart disease, and alcoholism. In this report, we present an unusual case of a patient with DC and reversible, acute left ventricular systolic dysfunction due to cardiotoxicity of hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (HHS).Case summaryA 20-year-old male patient presented with weakness and polyuria. Physical examination and electrocardiogram were normal. Laboratory results and arterial blood gas analysis were consistent with HHS. Baseline echocardiography showed global left ventricular hypokinesis with an ejection fraction (EF) of 36%. The patient’s clinical condition improved after blood glucose level normalization and echocardiography revealed progressive improvement in the left ventricular systolic function with an EF of 54% at the 5-day follow-up and an EF of 69% at the 15-day follow-up.DiscussionUncontrolled DM and hyperglycaemic crisis may result in cardiotoxicity, acute left ventricular systolic dysfunction, and DC. The pathophysiological mechanism of this phenomenon is still unclear. Blood glucose control is the most important strategy for the prevention of DC.

Takotsubo syndrome: Advances in the understanding and management of an enigmatic stress cardiomyopathy.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a syndrome mimicking an acute myocardial infarction in absence of obstructive epicardial coronary artery disease to explain the degree of the wall motion abnormalities. Typically more common in the elderly women, this condition is usually triggered by unexpected emotional or physical stress situations, and is associated with electrocardiogram abnormalities and slight elevation of cardiac biomarkers. The pathophysiological mechanism is not clear yet, but it is believed that a high circulating concentration of catecholamines causes an acute dysfunction of the coronary microcirculation and metabolism of cardiomyocytes, leading to a transient myocardial stunning. Typically, it presents with acute left ventricular systolic dysfunction that in most cases is completely resolved at short term. Recurrences are rare and it is thought that the long-term prognosis is good. We present here a review of the clinical features, pathophysiology and management of this enigmatic condition.

A Case of Clozapine-Induced Myocarditis in a Young Patient with Bipolar Disorder.

We present a case of drug-induced myocarditis manifesting as acute heart failure in a young patient with bipolar disorder being treated for depression. The case describes a 20-year-old man being treated in the psychiatry ward for worsening depression when he started complaining of chest pain and shortness of breath. His list of medications included clozapine, lithium, lorazepam, and haloperidol. The main findings on physical examination were tachycardia, low-grade fever, crackles in both lung bases on auscultation, and the absence of any notable edema. Abnormal labs included a troponin of 0.9, with a CK of 245 and CK-MB of 3.1. An ECG revealed sinus tachycardia and left anterior fascicular block (LAFB). An echocardiogram revealed global hypokinesis, severe left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction estimated at 20%. The patient had an admitting diagnosis of acute left ventricular systolic dysfunction likely secondary to drug-induced myocarditis (suspect clozapine) versus acute coronary syndrome. He was managed conservatively and transferred to another facility for endomyocardial biopsy confirming myocarditis. This case is an example of one of the most typical presentations of suspected drug-induced acute myocarditis and will hopefully prompt the reader to think of this underdiagnosed entity in the right clinical setting.

108 ACUTE RIGHT VENTRICULAR CARDIOMYOPATHY IN PATIENTS WITH SEVERE SEPSIS

Introduction There is an increasing awareness that the cardiovascular pathophysiology of sepsis extends beyond vasodilatation and distributive shock. Acute left ventricular systolic dysfunction is seen in 40–60% of patients admitted to critical care who require organ support. The exact distribution, timing and aetiology of this phenomenon remain unclear as does the therapeutic implications. Although often affecting the left ventricle, cases describing synchronous biventricular or isolated right ventricular dysfunction have been described. This septic cardiomyopathy appears to be fully reversible in survivors. We describe three cases admitted to our intensive care unit who were demonstrated to have an acute isolated dilated right ventricular cardiomyopathy using trans thoracic echocardiography. Methods and results 3 patients admitted to the Adult ICU were echoed on admission to the ICU, all with severe sepsis and multi organ failure. Two required invasive ventilation, all three required inotrope and vasopressor support, with two requiring haemofiltration. All patients had CT contrast pulmonary angiography to exclude pulmonary embolus as a differential diagnosis. The source of sepsis included one case of primary native septic arthritis, one chronic tibial osteomyelitis and one bowel perforation. Two patients required surgical debridement to attempt to control their sepsis. Two patients died despite maximal organ support within 72 h of admission to critical care. All three patients had normal left ventricular systolic function, with low stroke volumes unresponsive to volume loading. Conclusions and implications Acute ventricular cardiomyopathy is a common complication of severe sepsis and is difficult to diagnose using standard invasive cardiac output devices commonly used within critical care areas. Trans thoracic echocardiography presents a point of care diagnostic modality that allows rapid, repeatable, reliable assessment of independent ventricular function. Low cardiac output states seen with acute dilated right ventricular cardiomyopathy appear to show little benefit from fluid boluses and poor response to standard pharmacological strategies for septic shock. In the two patients requiring invasive ventilation, death followed within 72 h of diagnosis of right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Surveillance scanning for a impaired and/or dilated right ventricle may allow earlier detection and exploration of alternative treatment strategies. Respiratory failure in severe septic shock associated with right ventricular cardiomyopathy appears to confer a significant increased mortality rate (66%) when compared with a global population (35%) and may aid in prognostication.

Combined exogenous and endogenous catecholamine release associated with Tako-Tsubo like syndrome in a patient with atrio-ventricular block undergoing pace-maker implantation

We report the case of a 65-year-old woman with complete atrio-ventricular block who underwent orciprenaline administration and pacemaker implantation. The intervention was complicated by pneumothorax and acute left ventricular systolic dysfunction with typical apical ballooning (Tako-Tsubo like syndrome). The patient was treated with diuretics and calcium-sensitizers and completely recovered. We speculate that both external and internal catecholamine triggered an acute left ventricular impairment with typical Tako-Tsubo features.

Evolution of Cardiac Autonomic Nervous Activity Indices in Patients Presenting with Transient Left Ventricular Apical Ballooning

Transient left ventricular (LV) apical ballooning (AB) is characterized by a rapidly reversible, acute LV systolic dysfunction, triggered by physical or emotional stress. Despite observations strongly suggesting catecholamine-mediated myocardial stunning due to enhanced sympathetic activity, the early time course of heart rate variability (HRV) has not been described. We prospectively enrolled 39 consecutive patients (median age = 68 years, range 35-85 years, 38 women) with LV AB. Indices of HRV were extracted from 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiograms on the day of hospital admission, on days 2 and 3, and 3 months after the hospitalization. Within 48 hours after hospital admission, the indices of HRV were markedly depressed (standard deviation of normal-to-normal [NN] intervals [SDNN] 89.6 +/- 19.9 ms; mean standard deviation of NN intervals for 5-minute segments [SDNNi] 37.8 +/- 6.2 ms; root mean square of consecutive difference of normal-to-normal intervals [rMSSD] 23.0 +/- 9 ms; standard deviation of the averages of NN intervals for all 5-minute segments [SDANN] 70.1 +/- 18.0 ms; geometric triangular index [TI] 23.7 +/- 5.9 ms), recovered in the subacute phase and had normalized at 3 months follow-up (SDNN 124.7 +/- 24 ms; SDNNi 47.1 +/- 5.7 ms; rMSSD 31.1 +/- 10.5 ms; SDANN 118.5 +/- 27 ms; TI 31.2 +/- 8 ms; all P < 0.05). Mean RR-interval increased from 845 +/- 121 ms on day 1, to 929 +/- 84 ms at 3 months (P=0.06). A marked depression of cardiac parasympathetic activity was observed in the acute phase of LV AB, followed by recovery of autonomic modulation between the subacute and the chronic phases. The rapid return of parasympathetic function may partially explain the favorable outcomes of patients presenting with LV AB.