Concomitant Heart Disease Research Articles

Case report of varicose veins treatment in patient with a prosthetic mitral valve

This clinical case may be of interest in situations where a patient with varicose veins of the lower limbs and concomitant heart disease, who is on long-term anticoagulant therapy and is scheduled to undergo minor surgery, may present the possibility of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) against the background of warfarin use. Patient, G., 68 years old, with rheumatic combined mitral valve disease (mitral valve replacement in 2019, permanent atrial fibrillation), also had varicose vein disease of the lower limbs. History included acute cerebrovascular accident (19.01.2023). Duplex Ultrasonography Screening (DUS) showed failure of the left great saphenous vein valve. Hypocoagulation was also observed in coagulogram and the risk of bleeding on HAS-BLED score was average. On Caprini score, the risk was very high. Endovenous laser ablation of the large saphenous vein on the left side was performed. During follow-up examinations, there were no signs of bleeding from puncture sites. The target trunk was obliterated in dynamics at DUS. Therefore, it is possible to carry out EVLA of a large subcutaneous vein while taking therapeutic doses of warfarin without switching to bridge therapy. Endovascular laser ablation allowed it to be done with less risk of bleeding and, against the background of taking warfarin, reduced the risk of thrombosis.

Pectoralis Major and Abdominis Rectus Musculocutaneous Flap Reconstruction for Sternal Wound Closure in Ectopia Cordis

Summary: Ectopia cordis is a rare congenital condition resulting in extrathoracic positioning of the heart. The severity of presentation may vary with partial or complete displacement through sternal or diaphragmatic defects. Operative management is typically required, but due to the rarity of the condition, no standard exists for optimal closure. Reconstruction techniques can include compound local flap placement including pectoralis major, rectus abdominis, or latissimus dorsi flaps as well as synthetic material placement, autologous bone, and cartilage grafts to correct sternal deformity. This case report outlines the successful utilization of bilateral composite pectoralis major and rectus abdominal musculocutaneous flaps for complex staged closure of a sternal wound after creation of a cavopulmonary anastomosis in a 5-year-old patient with concomitant single-ventricle congenital heart disease. This single-staged closure after cardiac repair was performed without intra- or postoperative complications, and the patient demonstrated satisfactory healing with stable cardiac coverage at follow-up visit. This technique may present as an effective approach in complex sternal wound closure in patients with ectopia cordis.

Invasive testing leads to significantly altered (surgical) management strategy in coronary anomalies with interarterial course: 3 year interim analysis of MuSCAT

Abstract Introduction Diagnostic work-up of patients with an anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) includes an anatomical and functional assessment. The approach to functional evaluation currently varies widely and mainly includes noninvasive assessment. Intracoronary hemodynamic assessment can potentially enhance risk assessment for myocardial ischemia and sudden cardiac death and guide management of AAOCA patients. Hence, this study aims to evaluate invasive detection of ischemia on top of the standard of care diagnostic work-up for interarterial or intraseptal AAOCA and the impact on patient management. We report the first clinical outcomes. Methods In this multicenter prospective cohort study on AAOCA, all consecutive patients of 16 years and older with AAOCA with a newly diagnosed interarterial or intraseptal course in whom diagnostic work-up according to the protocol of the MuSCAT trial was performed between January 2021 and January 2024, were included for analysis. Exclusion comprised incomplete diagnostic evaluation, hemodynamically significant concomitant congenital heart disease or obstructive coronary artery disease in the AAOCA effluence. The work-up included invasive ischemia testing using fractional flow reserve (FFR) and or instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR)/resting full-cycle ratio (RFR) at baseline and during pharmacological stress using adenosine, adrenaline and dobutamine. Results Fifty-eight patients (50% female, median age at AAOCA diagnosis 51.5 years (IQR 44.0-59.0)) were included, Table 1. The right coronary artery was anomalous in 88%, 93% patients had an interarterial and 69% an intramural course. Non-invasive ischemia detection was positive in 12%, negative in 84% and inconclusive in 4%. Invasive hemodynamic assessment was positive for ischemia in 22%, negative in 74% and inconclusive in 3%. Class of recommendation for surgery based on ESC guidelines was I or IIa in 28% patients and IIb, III or unclassified in 72%. Invasive hemodynamic assessment changed the treatment decision in 24% of the patients; 50% with initially recommended surgical treatment and 14% with initially a conservative treatment adjudication, Figure 1. Median follow-up after initial diagnosis was 20 [IQR 10-28] months and in 56% of all patients who completed 6 months follow-up the initial symptoms alleviated. One (2%) patient underwent a percutaneous re-intervention of the operated AAOCA. Conclusions This national prospective study of invasive hemodynamic assessment in patients with AAOCA showed clinically significant impact on the adjustment of initial management strategy in 24% of the patients. No cardiac death of myocardial infarction in the AAOCA supply area occurred during follow-up. Analysis of the complete follow-up of the MuSCAT trial can further substantiate the role of additional invasive functional imaging in AAOCA.

Tricuspid regurgitation in the context of severe concomitant left-sided valvular heart disease: patients characteristics and long-term clinical and interventional outcomes

Abstract Background The clinical features, therapeutical management and outcome of patients with significant tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in the context of multiple valvular disease (VD) are poorly defined. Purpose To assess the characteristics, management and long-term prognosis of a large cohort of patients with multiple VD, focusing on the context of significant TR and concomitant severe mitral or aortic disease. Methods Clinical and echocardiographic data were collected in 1183 patients with ≥moderate TR diagnosed at our centers from January 2012 to June 2020: after propensity score matching for age to create matched cohort with < 10% of absolute difference, 975 patients were included in this study and divided in 4 groups as shown in Figure 1. Primary endpoint was all-cause death (ACD), secondary endpoint was the composite of heart failure (HF) hospitalization+any valvular intervention. Results Patients with isolated TR (356, 37%) had more history of atrial fibrillation and were more often asymptomatic and with preserved left-ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). TR+ severe MR patients (466, 48%) showed higher rates of concomitant coronary artery disease, NYHA class III/IV symptoms and larger left atrial volumes. The group of TR+ severe AS (131 patients, 13%) was characterized by older age, more comorbidities and lower LVEF. Patients with TR and severe AR (22, 2%) were younger, with larger LV dimensions and higher pulmonary pressures. Overall, in 37(4%) patients tricuspid intervention was performed: no differences were found between groups in term of frequency of concomitant or staged tricuspid valve surgical treatment (p=0.444 and p= 0.624, respectively), while left-valve only surgical treatment was more common among patients with TR and severe MR and left-valve transcatheter treatment among patients with TR and severe AS (both p<0.001). After a median follow-up of 2.8 years, the primary endpoint occured in 374 (38%) of patients, and was significantly more frequent in the group of patients with TR and severe AS (p<0.001, Figure 2). In this group, after multivariate analysis, indexed stroke volume remained independenty associated with ACD (OR 0.96, CI 0.93-0.98, p =0.040). Eventually, the secondary endpoint too was more common in patients with TR and severe AS (p<0.001, Figure 2). Conclusions In the context of significant TR, concomitant severe left-sided VD is common, and each subtype presents with different clinical features and echocardiographic phenotypes; in this scenario, TR was profoundly underteated. Long-term, patients with significant TR+ severe AS have considerable worse prognosis.Figure 1Figure 2

Implications of baseline glycemic control by plasma glycated hemoglobin A1c on adverse outcomes in patients with coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus: Results from the PROMISE study

BackgroundThe optimal glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) target in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients remains controversial, especially in patients with concomitant coronary heart disease (CHD). This study aimed to investigate the correlation between baseline HbA1c and long-term prognosis in CHD patients with T2DM. MethodsThe study enrolled 6,839 CHD patients with T2DM and measured HbA1c at admission in a multicenter prospective observational cohort. Patients were divided into two groups according to baseline HbA1c levels: optimal glycemic control group (HbA1c < 7.0 %, n = 3023) and poor glycemic control group (HbA1c ≥ 7.0 %, n = 3816). The study endpoints were all-cause death and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs). ResultsThe median follow-up period was 2.1 years. During this period, 229 (3.3 %) all-cause deaths, 165 (2.4 %) cardiac deaths, and 759 (11.1 %) MACCEs occurred. Unadjusted Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that the incidences of all-cause death, cardiac death, non-fatal MI, unplanned revascularization, and MACCEs were significantly lower in the HbA1c < 7.0 % group than in the HbA1c ≥ 7.0 % group (P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox hazard analysis indicated that the incidences of all-cause death, cardiac death and MACCEs were significantly lower in the HbA1c < 7.0 % group compared to the HbA1c ≥ 7.0 % group [all-cause death: hazard ratio (HR) 1.969, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.421–2.729; cardiac death: HR 2.515, 95 % CI 1.647–3.839; MACCEs: HR 1.345, 95 % CI 1.150–1.573; P < 0.001]. ConclusionsBaseline HbA1c level was associated with all-cause death, cardiac death, and MACCEs in CHD patients with T2DM.

Predictors and Prognostic Factors of Heart Failure with Improved Ejection Fraction.

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients who have improved ejection fraction have a better prognosis than those with persistently reduced ejection fraction. This study aimed to analyze the predictors for progression of patients with HFrEF to heart failure with improved ejection fraction (HFimpEF), as well as their characteristics and analyze predictors for prognosis. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1251 patients with HFrEF at baseline, who also had a second echocardiogram 3 months. After left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) reassessment, patients were separated into the HFimpEF group (n = 408) and the persistent HFrEF group (n = 611). The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization. Multivariate logistic regression showed that without history of alcohol consumption (OR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.28-0.78), non-New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III-IV (OR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.15-0.52), without dilated cardiomyopathy (OR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.26-0.84), concomitant hypertension (OR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.02-2.29), -blockers use (OR: 2.29, 95% CI: 1.54-3.43), and lower uric acid (OR: 0.999, 95% CI: 0.997-1.000) could predict LVEF improvement. Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated that HFimpEF patients had a significantly lower incidence of adverse events than HFrEF patients (log Rank p 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression found that older age (HR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02-1.06), NYHA class III-IV (HR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.28-3.95), concomitant valvular heart disease (HR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.01-3.85), and higher creatinine (HR: 1.003, 95% CI: 1.001-1.004) were independent risk factors for the primary endpoint in HFimpEF patients. HFrEF patients without a history of alcohol consumption, non-NYHA class III-IV, without dilated cardiomyopathy, concomitant hypertension, -blockers use, and lower uric acid were more likely to have LVEF improvement. Although the prognosis of HFimpEF patients was better than that of HFrEF patients, older age, NYHA class III-IV, concomitant valvular heart disease, and higher creatinine were still risk factors for cardiovascular events in HFimpEF patients.

Tactics for Treating Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms using Hybrid and Endovascular Techniques in Patients with Concomitant Coronary Heart Disease

The presence of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in patients with aortic dissection increases the risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications during aortic repair. Researches on the effect of IHD on the treatment outcomes of patients with type B aortic dissection have not been carried out often. Only single publications based on relatively small statistical material are devoted to this problem in the literature. The cohort of patients with aortic dissection and IHD is extremely complex, and surgical correction of this comorbid condition is still a controversial topic. The aim. To analyze the impact of IHD with prior correction of coronary artery lesions on the results of hybrid and endovascular treatment of patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms. Materials and methods. From 2017 to 2023, on the basis of the National Amosov Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, 245 patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm were treated using hybrid and endovascular techniques. Of these, 14 (5.7%) patients with coronary malperfusion underwent previous cor-rection of IHD either alone or in combination with prosthetics of the aortic valve, ascending aorta and arch of the aorta, initial section of the descending aorta (elephant trunk) with a good outcome. The comparison group included 30 (12.2%) patients who underwent endovascular or hybrid correction of the descending thoracic aorta without coronary pathology. Results. In the experimental group, 5 complications (42.9%) were detected (3 in the intraoperative period and 2 in the postoperative period). The frequency of complications of a similar nature in patients without concomitant IHD (com-parison group) was 13.3%. Endoleak type 1 was also dominant in this group. In most cases, it was eliminated by balloon dilatation of the stent graft. Only in 1 case, Endoleak type 1b was the reason for re-intervention with placement of an additional stent after 6 months. Conclusions. Studies show that the presence of even corrected IHD complicates the course of endovascular and hy-brid surgical treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms, as evidenced by significantly higher rates of postoperative compli-cations, longer length of stay in the intensive care unit, as well as time on mechanical ventilation. Preliminary myocardial revascularization in patients with IHD should be one of the main conditions for the endovas-cular treatment of aortic aneurysms, taking into account the specifics of performing such operations and the possibility of fatal complications with hemodynamically significant narrowing of the coronary arteries.

Lifestyle counseling in patients with hypertension in primary health care and its association with antihypertensive pharmacotherapy.

The study aimed to investigate differences in hypertensive- and cardio-preventive pharmacotherapy depending on if patients with hypertension received lifestyle counseling or not, including the difference between men and women. Data from the Region Stockholm VAL database was used to identify all patients with a hypertension diagnosis and had visited a primary health care center within the past five years. Data included registered diagnoses, pharmacotherapy, and codes for lifestyle counseling. Logistic regression adjusted for age and comorbidity (diabetes, stroke, coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, gout, obesity, heart failure) was used, presenting results as odds ratios (OR) with 99% confidence interval (CI). The study included 130,030 patients with hypertension; 63,402 men and 66,628 women. Patients receiving recommended lifestyle counseling were more frequently treated with three or more hypertensive drugs: women OR 1.38 (1.31, 1.45) and men=1.36 (1.30, 1.43); certain drug classes: calcium antagonists: women 1.09 (1.04, 1.14) and men 1.11 (1.06, 1.16); thiazide diuretics: women 1.26 (1.20, 1.34) and men 1.25 (1.19, 1.32); and aldosterone antagonists: women 1.25 (1.12, 1.41) and men 1.49 (1.34, 1.65). Patients receiving recommended level of lifestyle counseling with concomitant coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, or stroke were more frequently treated with statins than those who did not. Further, recommended lifestyle counseling was significantly associated with anticoagulant treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation. Lifestyle counseling according to recommendations in national guidelines was significantly associated with a more thorough pharmacological treatment of hypertension, statins, and antithrombotic drugs as well as anticoagulants, in both men and women.

Abstract PO5-18-04: Effect of Digoxin on clusters of circulating tumor cells in patients with metastatic breast cancer (DICCT)

Abstract Background: The presence of circulating tumor cell (CTC) clusters is associated with tumor progression and with a bad prognosis in various cancer types1,2. In breast cancer, a pre-clinical model demonstrated that Na/K-ATPase inhibitors such as digoxin could dissolve CTC clusters and reduce metastasis3. DICCT is a single-arm, therapeutic exploratory phase I study aimed to examine whether digoxin can disrupt CTC clusters in metastatic breast cancer patients (NCT03928210). Material and methods: Metastatic breast cancer patients in whom clusters of CTCs have been detected were eligible. Patients with concomitant heart disease were excluded. After progressive disease in any line of therapy, a window of opportunity before initiation of subsequent systemic therapy was used to administer digoxin treatment for seven (7) days. For CTC detection, blood samples were processed with the FDA-cleared Parsortix system (ANGLE plc, UK). Captured CTCs were stained for EPCAM, HER2, EGFR (positive CTC selection) and CD45 (exclusion marker). To gain insight into the cluster-dissolution ability of digoxin, the primary endpoint was size of CTC clusters (i.e. number of cells within each cluster) under digoxin therapy. The cumulative effect of digoxin treatment on the primary endpoint was assessed by a linear regression model. Results: Nine (9) patients with CTC clusters detected at baseline were enrolled. A target level of digoxin above 0.7 ng/ml could be confirmed at day 7 for all patients. For quantitative and qualitative analysis of CTC clusters, 5.5 to 27 ml of blood were analyzed at baseline, at day 0 pre-treatment, and post 2 hours, 3 days and 7 days of digoxin treatment. The average cluster size ranged between 2 and 11.8 cells (median 2.9) considering all samples from all patients. Digoxin treatment reduced cluster size in 8 patients (88.9%) to different extents, and the proportion of CTC cluster over single CTCs was also reduced in 6 patients (66.7%). The effect of digoxin was evident in both homotypic (cancer cells only) and heterotypic (aggregates of CTCs and white blood cells) clusters. The treatment was well tolerated, and no adverse events related to the study treatment occurred. All patients completed the treatment according to the protocol. Conclusion: DICCT provides the first-in-human proof-of-principle that digoxin induces a partial dissolution of CTC clusters in patients with metastatic breast cancer at drug levels that are safe and well tolerated. Conceptualization of follow-up trials including Na/K-ATPase inhibitors and patient outcome endpoints are underway.

Clinico-radiological presentation and outcome of brain abscess in congenital cyanotic heart disease

Introduction Patients with congenital cyanotic heart disease (CCHD) are at increased risk of developing brain abscesses. Having a brain abscess is itself a risk for the patient and concomitant cyanotic heart disease makes it a double jeopardy. The management of brain abscesses depends on the size, number, stage, and location of the abscess and can be medical and surgical. Methods This retrospective chart review was conducted at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal between January 2019 and December 2023. Demographic and clinical profiles, imaging studies, treatment modalities, and outcomes were analyzed. Results Out of 17 patients, 11 were males and six were females. The mean age of the study population was 13.41 +/- 11.08 years. The most common associated cardiac problem was Tetralogy of Fallot seen in six (35.3%) patients and the most common abscess site was the parietal lobe (38%). The most common presenting symptom was vomiting, seen in 76%. Twelve patients underwent burrhole and aspiration and 17.6% of patients underwent surgical excision of the abscess wall whereas 11.7% of the patients were managed conservatively. Positive culture was seen in 33.3%. S. aureus was the most common organism grown. There was no mortality. Conclusion High index of suspicion for brain abscess is necessary in patients with congenital cyanotic heart disease. Early diagnosis and treatment lead to a favorable outcome.

Risk factors and prognosis of perioperative acute heart failure in elderly patients with hip fracture: case-control studies and cohort study

BackgroundElderly patients with hip fracture who develop perioperative acute heart failure (AHF) have a poor prognosis. The aim of the present study is to investigate the potential risks of AHF in elderly hip-fracture patients in the postoperative period and to evaluate the prognostic significance of AHF.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on hip fracture patients at the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, who were continuously in hospital from September 2018 to August 2020. To identify independent risk factors for AHF in elderly patients with hip fracture, univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was employed. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve illustrated the relationship between all-cause mortality in the AHF and non-AHF groups. An assessment of the correlation between baseline factors and all-cause mortality was conducted by means of univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis.ResultsWe eventually recruited 492 patients,318 of whom were in the AHF group. Statistical significance was found between the two groups for age group, concomitant coronary heart disease, COPD, haemoglobin level below 100 g/L on admission, albumin level below 40 g/L on admission, and increased intraoperative blood loss. Age over 75, concomitant coronary artery disease, hemoglobin level below 100 g/L and albumin level below 40 g/L on admission were independent risk factors for AHF in older hip fracture patients. The AHF group exhibited a higher incidence of perioperative complications, such as anemia, cardiovascular issues, and stress hyperglycemia, as well as all-cause mortality. Based on our COX regression analysis, we have identified that the main risk factors for all-cause mortality in AHF patients are concomitant coronary heart disease, absence of pulmonary infection, absence of diabetes, absence of cancer, and absence of urinary tract infection.ConclusionEnhancing hip fracture prevention for AHF is particularly important. It is crucial to make informed decisions to avoid poor prognoses. Patients whose age over 75 years old, concomitant coronary heart disease, hemoglobin < 100 g/L and album< 40 g/L on admission are more likely to develop perioperative AHF. To avert complications and potential fatalities, patients with AHF must receive appropriate care during the perioperative period.

Wolf–Parkinson–White Syndrome: Diagnosis, Risk Assessment, and Therapy—An Update

Wolf–Parkinson–White (WPW) syndrome is a disorder characterized by the presence of at least one accessory pathway (AP) that can predispose people to atrial/ventricular tachyarrhythmias and even sudden cardiac death. It is the second most common cause of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in most parts of the world, affecting about 0.1–0.3% of the general population. Most patients with WPW syndrome have normal anatomy, but it may be associated with concomitant congenital heart disease or systemic diseases. Although many individuals are asymptomatic, during supraventricular arrhythmia episodes, they may experience severe symptoms, including syncope or even sudden cardiac death (mainly due to pre-excited atrial fibrillation over rapidly conducting AP). In addition to arrhythmia-related symptoms, for some specific locations of the APs with overt anterograde conduction, there might be a reduction in exercise capacity mediated by a reduction in LV systolic performance due to anomalous LV depolarization. Although it is typically diagnosed through electrocardiography (ECG), additional tests are necessary for risk assessment. Management of WPW syndrome may be quite challenging and can vary from only acknowledging the presence of the accessory pathway to pharmacological treatment or radiofrequency ablation. Early diagnosis, risk assessment, and appropriate treatment are critical steps in the management of WPW syndrome, aiming to improve the quality of life and reduce the risk of life-threatening arrhythmias.

FEATURES OF COVID-19 IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus and COVID-19 are nosologies that pose new challenges in the field of medicine, and after their combination, have already outlined their importance and potentially large impact on the health of people around the world. Each of these pathologies individually has a significant impact on the lives and well-being of patients, and together they create complex conditions for medical practice and healthcare organization. The study of the mutual influence of diabetes mellitus and COVID-19 on the clinical picture, features of the course, diagnosis and treatment of patients is of great importance and relevance for both the scientific community and applied practical medicine, and its continuation and expansion is a scientific and public need. Materials and Methods: А total of 53 patients with COVID-19 were examined. Their medical records were reviewed. To assess the clinical parameters, epidemiological data, physical and psycho-emotional state of patients, the author's own questionnaire "Form of Communication-1" was created and used. Based on the data obtained, statistical indicators were calculated: Pearson's test for qualitative indicators, Mann-Whitney U test was used as a non-parametric analysis method, Student's t-test for values that corresponded to the normality of distribution, respectively. Results: Patients with COVID-19 were divided into two groups: with diabetes mellitus (20 patients, 37.7%) and without this pathology (comparison group) (33 patients, 62.3%). Most of those studied were women (57%), aged (59.2 ± 12.5) years. Patients were hospitalized on days 4-5 of the disease. Among the concomitant pathologies, arterial hypertension and coronary heart disease were more frequently detected in the group of patients with diabetes mellitus (85% each), in the comparison group (55% and 52%, respectively (p &lt; 0.05). The coronavirus disease began acutely with chills and fever up to (38.3±0.18) °C. Generalized weakness was experienced by 96 % of patients. Among the complaints in the comparison group, ague (33 %) and hoarseness of the voice (52 %) prevailed (p &lt; 0.05). Severe COVID-19 was observed in 85% of patients with diabetes mellitus, and in the comparison group - in 33% of patients. On the contrary, moderate severity prevailed in the comparison group (64 % of patients) (p &lt; 0.05). The blood glucose level in patients with COVID-19 in the setting of type 2 diabetes was (9.9 ± 6.8) mmol/L and was higher than in the comparison group (5.8 ± 1.4) mmol/L, indicating hyperglycemia due to impaired glucose tolerance (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: Women (57%) of middle age (59.2 years) predominate among patients. Severe COVID-19 predominates in the group of patients with diabetes mellitus. The clinical picture is not significantly different in the compared groups, but laboratory data (elevated C-reactive protein, changes in platelet size, elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, urea, creatinine), objective symptoms (changes in general condition, severe course, auscultatory abnormalities) indicate more pronounced changes in patients with COVID-19 and diabetes mellitus. SARS-CoV-2 induces changes in glucose metabolism and contributes to the severity of COVID-19, which in turn leads to hypercytokinemia, cytokine storm, tissue and airway damage.

Cardiac Amyloidosis and Valvular Heart Disease.

Growing interest has accrued in the co-existence of cardiac amyloidosis and valvular heart disease. Amyloid infiltration from either transthyretin (ATTR) or of light chain (AL) origin may affect any structure of the heart, including the valves. The recent literature has mainly focused on aortic stenosis and cardiac amyloidosis, improving our understanding of the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of this dual pathology. Despite being of high clinical relevance, data on mitral/tricuspid regurgitation and cardiac amyloidosis are rather scarce and mostly limited to case reports and small cases series. It is the aim of this review article to summarize the current evidence of concomitant valvular heart disease and cardiac amyloidosis by including studies on epidemiology, diagnostic approaches, screening possibilities, therapeutic management, and prognostic implications.

New electrocardiographic parameters and risk of atrial arrhythmias in INOCA patients

Aims: Ischemia with no obstructive arteries (INOCA) is a clinical condition in which symptoms and signs of coronary artery disease are present, but coronary angiography does not show severe vessel narrowing. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia in cardiology practice, with an increasing prevalence with age and concomitant heart disease. P-wave dispersion (PWD) is an electrocardiographic (ECG) parameter defined as the difference between the maximum and minimum P-wave duration. There is an increasing number of studies showing an association between PWD and cardiovascular events. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the risk of AF in INOCA patients by detecting PWD, a new ECG parameter. Methods: The study included 51 INOCA patients and 36 healthy subjects as a control group. The groups were compared in terms of demographic characteristics, laboratory findings, echocardiography, and ECG findings. The difference between the longest P wave (Pmax) and the shortest P wave (Pmin) was considered as PWD (PWD=Pmax-Pmin). Results: When the patient group was compared with the control group, no difference was detected in terms of demographic characteristics or laboratory findings. When compared with the control group, Pmax duration and Pd values were significantly longer in the patient group compared to the control group (Pmax durations 112.7±7.09 ms and 98.1±5.5 ms, respectively, p&lt;0.001; Pd durations 43.0±9.4 ms and 31.4±12.4 ms, respectively, p&lt;0.001). On the other hand, Pmin durations did not differ significantly between the groups (p&gt;0.05). Conclusion: We observed that PWD was higher in INOCA patients compared to controls, and our results suggest that INOCA patients are at risk for AF.

Liver and cardiovascular diseases: a two-way relationship. Review

Diseases of the liver and cardiovascular system often accompany each other. It is pathogenetically prudent to divide the causes of concomitant diseases of the heart and liver into four groups: heart diseases that affect the liver; liver diseases that contribute to the development of heart pathology; alterations in the cardiovascular system and liver that have a common cause; and concomitant diseases of the heart and liver that have multiple causes. Congestive hepatopathy develops as a result of right ventricular heart failure of various etiology, including constrictive pericarditis, tricuspid regurgitation, cardiomyopathy, and cor pulmonale. Venous congestion predisposes to liver injury via three main pathogenetic mechanisms: insufficient hepatic blood flow, decreased arterial oxygen saturation, and increased hepatic venous pressure. Ischemic hepatitis may develop under conditions of severe, protracted hypotension, which impairs visceral perfusion and predisposes to hypoxemia. Hepatopulmonary syndrome is a clinical syndrome characterized by a distinct symptom complex, which may include pathological arteriovenous shunting in the pulmonary vessels, arterial hypoxemia, liver disease, and/or portal hypertension. Portopulmonary hypertension is pulmonary arterial hypertension caused by portal hypertension in the absence of an alternative etiology. Hemochromatosis, chronic alcoholism, and amyloidosis are the most common causes of concomitant heart and liver diseases with a common etiology. Determining the pathogenetic variant of concomitant diseases is essential for deciding on treatment strategies, particularly surgical intervention, or heart or liver transplantation.

Predictors of long-term outcomes of patients with concomitant moderate aortic and mitral valves diseases: a single tertiary care center experience 2010-2018

Abstract Background To date, moderate concomitant valvular heart diseases have been scarcely studied. This study aimed to further define predictors of long-term outcomes in patients diagnosed with concomitant moderate aortic and mitral valve disease at a tertiary center. Methods In this cohort we included 3257 patients (aged 71.7 ± 12.9 years; 55.2% male; 83.1% white) diagnosed with concomitant moderate aortic and mitral valves diseases who presented to the Cleveland Clinic between 2010 and 2018. The patients’ demographic, clinical and echocardiographic variables were collected. The primary endpoint of the study was the long-term composite outcome defined as heart failure hospitalization or all-cause mortality. We then conducted a univariate and multivariate cox proportional hazard survival analysis for the primary endpoint. Results The patients were followed up for 21.8 months. Baseline demographic characteristics are presented in table 1. Multiple demographic, clinical, and echo variables were evaluated. Using a univariate Cox proportional hazard survival analysis, older Age, history of smoking, Diabetes, Hypertension, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), Atrial Fibrillation (Afib), Dyslipidemia, higher Right Ventricular Systolic Pressure (RVSP), higher New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, and lower Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) were associated with worse long-term outcomes. Additionally, patients who underwent an aortic (39.1%) or a mitral valve intervention (29.4%) were associated with better long-term outcomes (HR, 0.710, 0.708; respectively). In comparison, on Multivariable Cox analysis, female sex was significantly associated with worse survival (HR of 1.151, p-value=0.019). However, older Age, history of smoking, Diabetes, CKD, higher RVSP, NYHA class 2, 3, and 4, and lower LVEF remained significantly associated with worse long-term (table 2). Aortic valve intervention remained significantly associated with better survival (HR, 0.861, P-value=0.021). Compared to the Aortic Stenosis/ Mitral Stenosis (AS/MS) group, univariate analysis showed that patients in the Aortic Regurgitation/Mitral Regurgitation (AR/MR), and the AR/MS groups were significantly associated with better long term outcomes (HR, 0.738, HR, 0.575; respectively). Conversely, on Multivariate Cox analysis, AR/MR and AS/MR groups were significantly associated with better survival compared to AS/MS group (HR, 0.580, HR, 0.716; respectively). Conclusion In patients diagnosed with concomitant moderate aortic and mitral valve diseases, female sex, older age, history of smoking, diabetes, CKD, RVSP, NYHA class, LVEF and aortic valve intervention are independent predictors of the composite endpoint of heart failure hospitalization or all-cause mortality.Table 1Table 2

Physical Activity, Depression and Quality of Life in COPD - Results from the CLARA II Study.

Symptoms of depression, pain and limitations in physical activity may affect quality of life in COPD patients independent from their respiratory burden. We aimed to analyze the associations of these factors in outpatients with COPD in Austria in a stable phase of disease. We conducted a national, cross-sectional study among patients with COPD. For depression, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and for respiratory symptoms the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire for COPD patients (SGRQ-C) were used along with 10-point scales for physical activity and pain. After exclusion of 211 patients due to non-obstructive spirometry or missing data, 630 patients (62.5% men; mean age 66.8±8.6 (SD) years; mean FEV1%pred. 54.3 ± 16.5 (SD)) were analyzed. Of these, 47% reported one or more exacerbations in the previous year, 10.4% with hospitalization. A negative depression score was found in 54% and a score suggesting severe depression (PHQ-9 score≥15) in 4.7%. In a multivariate linear regression model, self-reported pain, dyspnea, and number of exacerbations were predictors for higher PHQ-9-scores. A negative pain score was found in 43.8%, and a score suggesting severe pain in 2.9% (8-10 points of 10-point scale). Patients reporting severe pain were more often female, had more exacerbations, and reported more respiratory and depressive symptoms, a lower quality of life, and less physical activity. About 46% of patients rated their physical activity as severely impaired. These patients were significantly older, had more exacerbations, concomitant heart disease, a higher pain and depression score, and a lower quality of life (SGRQ-C - total score and all subscores). In Austria, nearly half of stable COPD outpatients reported symptoms of depression, which were associated with lower levels of self-reported physical activity, more pain, and respiratory symptoms. The associations were particularly strong for depression with SGRQ-C.

Evaluation of the risk of developing atrial fibrillation with new electrocardiographic parameters in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism

Aims: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a clinical entity characterized by hypercalcemia caused by excessive parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion from the parathyroid gland and is the most common cause of hypercalcemia in outpatient clinics. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia encountered in cardiology practice, the prevalence of which increases with concomitant heart disease and age. P-wave peak time (PWPT) is the time from the onset of the p-wave to its peak and is a recently defined electrocardiographic (ECG) parameter. Recently, studies on the relationship between PWPT and cardiovascular events have been published. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the risk of AF in PHPT patients by detecting PWPT, a new ECG parameter.&#x0D; Methods: The study included 21 PHPT patients and 20 healthy subjects as a control group. The groups were compared in terms of demographic characteristics, laboratory findings, echocardiography, and ECG findings. D2 and V1 leads were used for PWPT, as recommended in the literature. &#x0D; Results: When the patient group was compared with the control group, no difference was detected in terms of demographic characteristics and laboratory findings. When compared with the control group, patients with PHPT had significantly longer PWPT (PWPTV1 56.07 msec ± 8.33 s vs. 50.25 msec ± 7.00 s p

Adverse events that occurred in patients with rheumatoid arthritis during long-term follow-up

Comorbid diseases and adverse events that occur in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) negatively affect the outcomes of RA (radiological progression, joint function, the occurrence of low-energy fractures, thrombotic events, etc.). Objective: to study the structure of comorbid diseases and adverse events that occurred in patients with RA over the period of long-term prospective follow-up, to study the impact of these events on the dynamics of the functional status and working capacity of patients. Materials and methods. Аn open, cohort, prospective, long-term non-interventional study included 103 women with a definite diagnosis of RA (mean age 63.5 ± 8.3 years, follow-up period 8,5 ± 1,3 years). At baseline and in dynamics, standard laboratory and X-ray examinations were carried out. Results and discussion. There was a decrease in the DAS28 index and the number of patients with high or moderate activity [from 82 (85 %) to 67 (69 %), p = 0.02] against the background of an increase in the number of patients with remission or low activity [from 15 (15 %) to 30 (31 %), p = 0.012], at the same time there was an increase in the number of patients with ankylosis of joints [from 25 (24 %) to 41 (40 %), p = 0.017], functional class III [from 3 (3 %) to 15 (15 %), p=0.004], concomitant diseases [from 81 (79 %) to 94 (91 %), p = 0.015], thrombotic events [from 7 (7 %) to 18 (17 %), p = 0.027]. In 43 (42 %) patients 55 low-energy fractures were registered, in 24 (56 %) of them fractures occurred for the first time and in 19 (44 %) – repeatedly. Conclusion. As the prospective long-term follow-up shows, despite the decrease in RA activity, the number of patients with ankylosis, joint dysfunction and concomitant diseases increased. In the structure of concomitant diseases coronary heart disease and arterial hypertension dominated. A high incidence of thrombotic events, repeated and first-time low-energy fractures was noted. The number of disabled patients increased fivefold.