Echocardiographic Alterations Research Articles

Effectiveness of liver function tests in screening for cardiovascular risk in rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis patients

Abstract Background Liver tests are used to evaluate liver damage due to medication and have gained attention for their potential role in assessing cardiovascular risk (CVR) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). In the general population, studies suggest that serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) levels correlate with endothelial dysfunction and left ventricular (LV) alterations, leading to a higher risk of cardiovascular events. In contrast, serum bilirubin (SB), a byproduct of heme metabolism known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, shows potential protective effects. Purpose To associate SB levels with carotid plaque prevalence and GGT levels with LV alterations in RA and PsA patients. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study involving RA and PsA patients aged 40 to 75 who met the 2010 ACR/EULAR and 2006 CASPAR criteria, respectively. Patients with previous cardiovascular disease, pregnancy, overlap syndrome, renal or hepatic dysfunction were excluded. A carotid ultrasound and transthoracic echocardiograms were performed on all participants. CP was defined as a diffuse carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) ≥1.2 mm or focal thickness ≥0.5 mm. The echocardiographic evaluation included left ventricle mass index (LVMI), relative wall thickness (RWT), mitral deceleration time (MDT), E/E mitral ratio, E/A mitral ratio, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Subclinical LV systolic dysfunction was defined as a global longitudinal strain (GLS) greater than -18%. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was employed to determine normality. Comparisons with Chi-square, T-, or U-Mann Whitney test, accordingly. A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 51 patients were included 25 with RA and 26 with PsA. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of carotid plaque and according to GGT levels, with ≥28 U/L considered high. Most were women (n= 40, 78.4%) and had similar CVR factors (Tables 1 and 2). CP was found in 52.9% (n=27) of the patients and these had more prevalence of dyslipidemia (66.6% vs 50%, p=0.227), as well as higher SB levels. Conversely, patients with lower GGT levels exhibited greater remodeling characteristics, although there was no statistically significant difference in either case. A slightly higher prevalence of subclinical systolic dysfunction was observed in the high GGT group (66.6% vs 60%, p=0.25). Conclusion Our study found that SB levels are neither a protective factor against subclinical atherosclerosis nor an association between GGT levels and LV alterations in RA or PsA patients. Therefore, larger sample sizes are necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of the liver profile as a predictor of CVR and the detection of echocardiographic alterations. Carotid ultrasound and echocardiographic assessments should be included in a comprehensive cardiovascular evaluation.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: from echocardiographic characteristics to a cardiovascular damage score in a high-risk hypertensive population.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a high prevalence condition, with high rates of hospitalization and mortality. Arterial hypertension is the main risk factor for HFpEF. Among hypertensive patients, alterations in cardiac and vascular morphology identify hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD). Cardiac HMOD in terms of ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction is a continuum between the preclinical condition (arterial hypertension) and HFpEF. In hypertensive patients, it is currently unknown what is the prevalence of individuals classifiable as being at high risk of developing HFpEF and whether aortic morphofunctional vascular changes are present. This study seeks to retrospectively assess the prevalence of echocardiographic alterations consistent with the diagnosis of HFpEF in a cohort of patients with essential arterial hypertension, and the prevalence of vascular HMOD (V-HMOD) in different risk categories of patients. Hypertensive outpatients referred at the Hypertension Center of Turin from 2003 to 2021 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with a previous diagnosis of heart failure and known cardiovascular events were excluded. A predictive model associated with the risk of HFpEF development was calculated using echocardiographic variables. V-HMOD morphological and functional parameters were assessed by ascending aorta diameter and arterial stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, cfPWV). Eight hundred and four patients (34.8% women) were analyzed, age 53.1 ± 14 years; left ventricular mass index (LVMi) and E/e' ratio were impaired in 15.9 and 29.1% of cases, respectively. Dividing them into tertiles according to score: score 1 or less (30.2%); score 2-3 (47.4%); score at least 3 (22.7%). Patients identified at high risk of HFpEF (score ≥3) had higher age, BMI and blood pressure than the other two groups (P < 0.05); they showed a significantly higher prevalence of female patients (42.3%), treatment with at least two antihypertensive drugs (40.1%), diabetes (7.1%), and dyslipidemia (28%; P < 0.05), with a larger ascending aorta diameter (35.5 ± 5.5 mm, P < 0.05) and higher cfPWV (8.8 ± 2.4 m/s, P < 0.05). At least one in five hypertensive patients, referred to an outpatient echocardiographic examination, has C-HMOD compatible with a high-risk category of HFpEF and have a significant increase in V-HMOD. This reinforces the notion that arterial hypertension and HFpEF are not two distinctly separate conditions but a continuum of pathophysiologic alterations.

HIV is associated with subtle impairments in left ventricular function: insights from a large prospective cohort study of well-treated people with HIV

Abstract Background Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has become a treatable, chronic condition, but people with HIV still face an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart failure. Purpose To assess echocardiographic alterations in left ventricular (LV) function in a contemporary cohort of well-treated people with HIV compared to the general population. Methods We included 744 people with HIV frequency matched 1:1 on age and sex with controls from the general population. Both people with HIV and controls underwent echocardiography, physical examination, questionnaires and blood sampling according to similar study protocols. LV systolic dysfunction was defined as LV ejection fraction (LVEF) &amp;lt;50% or absolute global longitudinal strain (GLS) &amp;lt;16%. LV diastolic function was defined as abnormal if the following was true for half or more available parameters: (1) average E/e’&amp;gt;14, (2) septal e’ velocity &amp;lt; 7 cm/s or lateral e’ velocity &amp;lt;10cm/s, (3) tricuspid regurgitation velocity &amp;gt;2.8 m/s, (4) left atrial volume index &amp;gt;34ml/m2. Associations between HIV status and LV function were assessed using linear and logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, total cholesterol and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Among people with HIV, the association between HIV-specific characteristics and LV function were assessed using logistic regression models with adjustment for the same potential confounders. Results Mean age was 53.4 years and 88% were male. For people with HIV, median time since HIV diagnosis was 18 years and 99% received antiretroviral therapy. People with HIV had lower adjusted mean absolute GLS [17.6 vs. 18.5%, p&amp;lt;0.001], E/A ratio [1.0 vs. 1.2, p&amp;lt;0.001] and average e’ [9.5 vs. 10.5 cm/s, p&amp;lt;0.001] than controls, while LVEF and E/e’ were not significantly different between people with HIV and controls (Figure 1). HIV was associated with impaired systolic function as assessed by GLS [odds ratio 1.70, 95% CI: 1.17-2.46, p=0.005], but not when assessed by LVEF [odds ratio 1.06, 95% CI: 0.78-1.45, p=0.69](Figure 2). Living with HIV was not associated with diastolic dysfunction compared to controls [odds ratio 0.97, 95% CI: 0.61-1.52, p=0.88], but longer HIV-duration was associated with higher odds of diastolic dysfunction among people with HIV (odds ratio 1.06, 95% CI: 1.02-1.10 per year, p=0.004). Current antiretroviral medication type, previous AIDS defining conditions, current CD4+ count and detectable viral load were not associated with LV dysfunction. Conclusion People with HIV show signs of early impairments in longitudinal LV systolic function compared to the general population. These subclinical changes may underlie the increased risk of heart failure observed in PWH.

Twenty-four Month Multidisciplinary Follow-up of Multisystemic Inflammatory Syndrome Patients in a Tertiary Pediatric Hospital in Chile: A Prospective Study.

Multisystemic inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) is a severe postinfectious condition. This study aims to detail long-term follow-up. Forty-five patients were followed up for 24 months, inflammatory markers were normalized at 3 months and echocardiographic alterations were resolved in all patients at 6 months, remaining normal. MIS-C, despite being a serious disease, presents a fast resolution of clinical, laboratory and echocardiographic alterations.

Endomyocardial involvement in asymptomatic Latin American migrants with eosinophilia related to helminth infection: A pilot study.

Hypereosinophilic syndrome can produce cardiac involvement and endomyocardial fibrosis, which have a poor prognosis. However, there is limited information regarding cardiac involvement among migrants from Latin America with eosinophilia related to helminthiasis. We conducted a pilot observational study where an echocardiography was performed on migrants from Latin America with both eosinophilia (>450 cells/μL) and a diagnosis of helminth infection, and on migrants from Latin America without eosinophilia or helminth infection. Microbiological techniques included a stool microscopic examination using the Ritchie's formalin-ether technique, and a specific serology to detect Strongyloides stercoralis antibodies. 37 participants were included, 20 with eosinophilia and 17 without eosinophilia. Twenty (54.1%) were men with a mean age of 41.3 (SD 14.3) years. Helminthic infections diagnosed in the group with eosinophilia were: 17 cases of S. stercoralis infection, 1 case of hookworm infection, and 2 cases of S. stercoralis and hookworm coinfection. Among participants with eosinophilia, echocardiographic findings revealed a greater right ventricle thickness (p = 0.001) and left atrial area and volume index (p = 0.003 and p = 0.004, respectively), while showing a lower left atrial strain (p = 0.006) and E-wave deceleration time (p = 0.008). An increase was shown in both posterior and anterior mitral leaflet thickness (p = 0.0014 and p = 0.004, respectively) when compared with participants without eosinophilia. Migrants from Latin America with eosinophilia related to helminthic infections might present incipient echocardiographic alterations suggestive of early diastolic dysfunction, that could be related to eosinophilia-induced changes in the endomyocardium.

Echocardiographic Alterations of Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs

Echocardiographic Alterations of Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs

Echocardiographic Documentation of Dilated Cardiomyopathy Development in Dogs Naturally Infected with Trypanosoma cruzi.

We aimed to characterize the echocardiographic alterations in dogs from an endemic region that were naturally infected with T. cruzi. Dogs (n = 130) seropositive for antibodies against T. cruzi and/or with acute parasitemia were enrolled in the study. Indicators of changes in the structure and systolic and diastolic functions of the left ventricle (LV) and blood flow patterns were evaluated by echocardiography. The frequency and extent of alterations in these indicators were associated with the severity of the disease. Briefly, 15 (11.54%) dogs were diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and 115 (88.46%) dogs were diagnosed as being without DCM. Infected dogs with DCM exhibited structural features of LV dysfunction, e.g., a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the LV internal diameter at systole and diastole (LVID-s, LVID-d) and a decline in the LV posterior wall (LVPW-d) thickness at diastole. Despite an increase in stroke volume and cardiac output indicating contraction force, DCM resulted in a decreased ejection fraction, affecting systolic function. Dogs that were diagnosed as DCM-negative but were positive for T. cruzi by PCR exhibited a high frequency of an increase in the thickness of the interventricular septum in systole (IVS-s) and the LV posterior wall in diastole (LVPW-d), a decline in the LV inner diameter (LVID-d, LVID-s), and fractional shortening (FS). The thinning of the LVPW at systole was the most defining feature observed in chronically infected dogs. In summary, this is the first study reporting the echocardiographic changes occurring in dogs naturally infected with T. cruzi and developing DCM. Our data suggest that changes in LVID are a major indicator of risk of cardiac involvement, and the observation of changes in the IVS, LVPW, and FS have predictive value in determining the risk of DCM development in infected dogs.

Role of inflammation in atrial fibrillation: specific biomarkers of tissue damage, atrial remodelling and dysregulation of angiogenesis

Abstract Introduction and Objectives The relationship between inflammation and atrial fibrillation (AF) has been poorly studied with common inflammatory markers and limited to analysing one or two markers. Given the large number of pathways in the inflammatory process and the complexity of their relationship with AF, we set out to study a broad panel of more specific biomarkers that attempt to cover as many inflammatory interactions and mechanisms as possible. Our objetive was to evaluate which biomarkers were elevated in AF patients compared to the general population. Methods We studied 74 patients who were to undergo an ablation procedure (53 with AF and 21 controls -microscopic substrates-), drawing a blood sample before the procedure. Exclusion criteria were: cancer, inflammatory diseases, heart failure or major echocardiographic alterations including mild ventricular hypertrophy. Baseline characteristics, basic analytical parameters and levels of 20 specific inflammatory biomarkers were collected and compared in patients with and without AF. Results Figure 1 shows the baseline characteristics of the sample. The usual analytical parameters in clinical practice showed no relevant differences between the two groups. Of the 20 specific inflammatory parameters, significant differences were found in 4: biomarkers of cardiomyocyte damage (NT-proBNP: (AF)130.8 +- 208.0 pg/mL vs (control) 80.3 +- 66.5 pg/mL; p=0.041), of atrial remodelling (Endostatin: 95.0 +- 28.8 ng/mL vs 80.1 +- 17.2 ng/mL; p&amp;lt;0.01), angiogenesis dysregulation (MCAM: 241.8 +- 51.9 ng/mL vs 197.1 +- 96.4 ng/mL; 0.033) and hepato-inflammatory cardiovascular risk markers (SAP; 7426.6 ± 2641.0 ng/mL vs 9406.9 ± 3904.1 ng/mL; p&amp;lt;0.011). In addition to these individual differences, multiple correspondance analysis (figure 2) allowed grouping most of the patients without arrhythmia using information from the biomarker set. Conclusions In patients with AF, several specific parameters of inflammation are elevated compared to controls, supporting the presence of an activation of inflammation in these patients. Due to the large number of factors involved in the inflammatory process and the variability with which they can be activated, future research evaluating the clinical implication of these findings is essential.Baseline CharacteristicsMultiple correspondance analysis

MYOCARDIAL AND PERICARDIAL DISEASES INCIDENCE IN COVID

Abstract Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS–CoV–2), also referred to as COVID–19, was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. The manifestations of COVID–19 are widely variable and range from asymptomatic infection to multi–organ failure and death. Like other viral illnesses, acute myocarditis and/or pericarditis has been reported to be associated with COVID–19 infection. The guidelines for the diagnosis of COVID–19 introduced the echocardiogram for diagnosis of carditis in these patients. Purpose In our study we investigated the incidences of myocarditis and/or pericarditis in a consecutive series of 1540 Athletes undergo to agonostic certification that performed echocardiogram, and subdivided the incidence of carditis depend on the period and the possible subtype of the covid (alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon). Methods From March 2020 to October 2022 we enrolled in this epidemiological evaluation 1540 patients that was affected by COVID. Every patients was admitted to ambulatory of sport medicine of 2 Italian centres on the major islands to perform a return to play agonist certificate. Overall, 69% males and 31%. females were enrolled with a mean age of 24.3 years (12–67 years). None presented a risk factor of a cardiac disease. Results The incidence of Echocardiographic abnormality was 3,2% in our population The kind and the incidence of alteration was showed in table 1, and consist in dilated cardiomiopathy (0,4%), regional cinetic dysfunction (0,4%), pericardial effusion (1,9%), aspecific alterations (0,2%). Based on the period we evaluated the incidence of the echocardiographic alterations during the seasons and in corralation of variant of COVID . The results was showed in figure 1. Conclusions Based on our evalution the incidence of echocardiographic findings in COVID was 3,2% in all period, with a progressive reduction long the time, from alpha variant to epsilon variant.

Correlation of Diagnostic Components of Metabolic Syndrome with Electrocardiographic and Echocardiographic Alterations in Patients with Obesity

Correlation of Diagnostic Components of Metabolic Syndrome with Electrocardiographic and Echocardiographic Alterations in Patients with Obesity

Angiographic description of the anatomy and clinical aspects of the anterior interventricular artery in a group of Colombians individuals

The anterior interventricular artery originates from the left coronary artery and irrigates the anterior surface of the ventricles, apex, and interventricular septum, making it the second most relevant artery of the heart. To describe the anatomical and clinical aspects of the anterior interventricular artery through angiography. A descriptive study was conducted using 200 angiographic reports of Colombian individuals. The anterior interventricular artery's origin, course, patency, and coronary dominance were evaluated. Data related to chest pain, acute myocardial infarction, dyslipidemia, and electrocardiographic abnormalities were included. Statistical tests could not be performed due to this artery's low prevalence of anatomical variations. One anterior interventricular artery was found to have originated from the left coronary sinus without a myocardial bridge, with no alteration in permeability, and with left dominance. The frequency of bridges was 2%, and the most frequent dominance was right in 86%; permeability alterations occurred in 43% mainly affecting S13. Twentyfive per cent presented chest pain; 40%, echocardiographic alterations; 5%, ischemic heart disease, and 59%, electrocardiographic alterations. Variations of origin of the anterior interventricular artery have a low prevalence according to reports from Chile, Colombia, and Spain. anterior interventricular artery myocardial bridges were scarce compared to other studies, suggesting better specificity of computed tomography angiography or direct dissection for these findings. The assessment of coronary permeability is graded with the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction scale; values 0 and 1 indicate occlusive lesion associated with ischemic heart disease. According to various techniques, the most frequent coronary dominance the right, followed by the left in men and balanced circulation in women.

#6869 CARDIAC ALTERATIONS FOUND IN PATIENTS WHO START DIALYSIS

Abstract Background and Aims The presence of cardiac structural alterations in patients with chronic kidney disease who start renal replacement therapy is frequent. In fact, the real prevalence of heart failure is not well known due to the masking of symptoms by frequent ultrafiltration. Despite this, most deaths in these patients occur due to cardiovascular events, especially non-atheroembolic events, which are closely related to heart failure and ventricular remodeling. This study aimed to describe the echocardiographic alterations present in patients who start renal replacement therapy. Method Cross-sectional study to evaluate the prevalence of structural abnormalities in transthoracic echocardiography performed in patients at the time of initiating renal replacement therapy in the prevalent group of patients in kidney replacement therapy program at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona. Demographic variables and baseline drugs for heart failure were also collected. Results We included 170 patients of 67.84 ± 15.92 years. 115 (67.6%) were men, and 55 were women (32.4%). Of these, 124 (72.9%) were on hemodialysis, 11 (6.5%) on home hemodialysis, and 35 (20.6%) on peritoneal dialysis. Transthoracic echocardiogram findings at the beginning of dialysis showed a left ventricular ejection fraction of 47.5 ± 10.6%. It was reduced in 21 (12.4%), slightly reduced in 9 (5.3%) and preserved in 125 (73.5%) of the patients. The estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure was 28.5 ± 3.53 mmHg. The telediastolic diameter of the left ventricle was 5.5 ± 0.71 cm, that of the interventricular septum was 1.15 ± 0.27 cm, the diameter of the left atrium was 4.5 ± 1.27 cm, its volume was 95.05 ± 56.5 mL in the biplane section and 54.3 ± 28.28 mL in the four-chamber section. There were no significant differences between groups when analyzed by type of renal replacement therapy. Regarding valvulopathies, 47 (21.8%) had some degree of aortic stenosis, 68 (40%) had some degree of aortic insufficiency, 104 (62.2%) had some degree of tricuspid insufficiency, 118 (69.4%) some degree of mitral insufficiency. Regarding treatment, 50 (29.4%) of the patients had some RAASi, 60 (35.3%) had beta-blockers, and 2 (1.2%) had MRA. Conclusion The presence of structural alterations in the heart of patients initiating renal replacement therapy is practically universal and independent of the type of technique initiated. Nephrologists should become aware of these findings and seek ways to prevent and reverse these alterations as far as possible to achieve better clinical results in dialysis.

P456 SUBACUTE STEMI AND ISCHEMIC STROKE DURING SARS–COV2 INFECTION: A CASE REPORT

Abstract A 71–year–old woman arrived in the ER for left hemiparesis and dysarthria. The Patient was oriented, collaborative. Stable hemodynamics. Left hemiparesis. Dysarthria. NIHSS 8, Ranking 2. Blood tests, EGA, swab for SARS–Cov2 were performed (hsTnI 9433 ng, PCR 15.6 mg/dl, Sars–Cov2 positive test). ECG showed evidence of inferolateral ST–segment elevation with Q waves in the inferior site and negative T waves in the inferolateral leads. An episode of chest pain radiating to the left upper limb two days ago was reported. The echocardiography showed non–dilated left ventricle with global systolic function at the lower limits. Inferior, infero–lateral and medio–basal akinesia with hyper–refractive wall and preserved thicknesses were found. Moreover, a slight layer of circumferential pericardial effusion, without any hemodynamic importance was showed. In order to exclude an aortic syndrome, a CT angiography of the brain, neck and chest was performed for recent lesions, with negative result. Angiography showed the left vertebral artery up to the V3 segment, suspected by dissection. Recommendations on performing fibrinolysis in adults, with concurrent ischemic stroke and subacute STEMI, are conflicting: according to ASA/AHA guidelines in recent 3–month infarction, treatment is reasonable if the inferior or right wall is involved. According to ESO guidelines, fibrinolysis is not recommended if the subacute STEMI is seven days old. The Italian guidelines consider the treatment of acute stroke with r–TPA with subsequent PTCA, with possible stent, and recognize a very low risk of consequent hemopericardium. Depending on the timing of the anginal symptoms, the presence of Q waves on the ECG and the echocardiographic alterations, the AMI was considered subacute with no indication for urgent coronary angiography. For the patient of this case report, a conservative attitude for both pathologies was decided, performing an antiplatelet therapy with ASA and continuous ECG monitoring. Despite the treatment, the patient suffered heart failure and exitus after 10 days hospitalization. The lack of unequivocal guidelines on the treatment of patients with simultaneous ischemic stroke and subacute STEMI, require careful evaluation of the individual case, searching for possible predisposing factors of a poor prognosis.

Clinical, Radiological, and Echocardiographic Findings in Cats Infected by Aelurostrongylus abstrusus

Cats infected by Aelurostrongylus abstrusus may show a plethora of clinical signs, and pulmonary hypertension (PH) seems to be one of the possible alterations induced by the infection; however, data on this association are scant and contradictory. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate the association between aelurostrongylosis and PH and to evaluate the correlation between the number of A. abstrusus larvae expelled in the faeces and the clinical, echocardiographic, and radiological alterations. Fifteen cats (i.e., eight males and seven females) older than 3 months and naturally infected by A. abstrusus with different parasitic loads, expressed as larvae per grams of faeces (l.p.g.), were enrolled in the study. Each animal underwent clinical, echocardiographic, and radiographic examinations. Most cats (i.e., 10/15) showed pathological patterns on thoracic radiograms; particularly, the alveolar pattern (four cats), interstitial-nodular pattern (five cats), and bronchial pattern (one cat). No significant echocardiographic findings of PH were detected. No correlation between the number of l.p.g. and the severity of clinical signs was observed, but a significant correlation with activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), radiographic alterations (interstitial nodular pattern), and ultrasonographic findings (RIVIDs) were noticed. These findings suggest that other factors such as animal age and health status, as well as comorbidity, may influence the presentation of the disease or the clinical manifestation and severity of the disease.

Early echocardiographic alterations in cancer patients during chemotherapy

Aim. To evaluate the early manifestation of cardiotoxicity after the first course of multiagent chemotherapy (MAC) using echocardiography with an assessment of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS).Material and methods. The study included 49 cancer patients with elective MAC.Results. After the first administration of a therapeutic dose of chemotherapy, a decrease in LVEF ≥10 and GLS &gt;15 was demonstrated in more than 6,1% of patients, as well as a subclinical decrease in LVEF ≥5% in 22,4% and a decrease in GLS ≥12% in 24,5%.Conclusion. In cancer patients, after the first course of chemotherapy, GLS dynamics should be assessed during echocardiography as a marker of myocardial dysfunction.

Impact of disease duration on proteomic bioprofile and prognosis in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Cardiovascular disease worsens the prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and vice-versa. Inflammation may be a common pathway for both conditions. It is expected that a longer RA duration leads to a greater inflammatory cumulative exposure burden; however, studies on the association between RA disease duration and outcomes are scarce. Our aim is to compare the characteristics, biomarker expression and outcomes according to the duration of RA. Prospective cohort study including 399 RA patients, with detailed clinical, echocardiographic, and proteomic phenotyping that were compared across tertiles of RA disease duration. Cox proportional models were used to study the association of disease duration with cardiovascular outcomes. RA duration tertiles were: tertile 1 with median of 3.2; tertile 2 with median of 8.8; and tertile 3 with median of 21.8 years. Compared to tertile 1, patients in tertile 3 were older, had more erosive disease, more frequent echocardiographic alterations, lower haemoglobin and walked a shorter distance on the 6MWT. Natriuretic peptides, cathepsin L1, galectin 9, matrix metalloproteinase-12, adrenomedullin and tumour necrosis factor receptor 11A were higher in patients with longer disease duration. Compared to patients in tertile 1, those in tertile 3 had higher risk of a subsequent cardiovascular hospitalisation or cardiovascular death (HR 2.71, 95%CI 1.06-6.92, p=0.04). RA patients with longer disease duration had more organ damage and worse outcomes than those with shorter disease duration. Biomarker expression suggested that patients with longer RA duration had activation of pathways related to inflammation, extracellular matrix organisation, fibrosis and congestion.

Prognostic role of acute myocardial infarction diagnostic criteria in patients presenting with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction

Abstract Background The Fourth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction (UDMI) defines acute myocardial infarction (AMI) as an acute myocardial injury associated with clinical evidence of acute myocardial ischemia. However, the prognostic role of each single diagnostic criteria has never been explored. Purpose To evaluate the prognostic role of the different diagnostic criteria of AMI according to the Fourth UDMI in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Methods We enrolled all consecutive patients with NSTEMI undergoing coronary angiography at our Centre. The admission diagnosis was performed according to the current guidelines criteria, namely the detection of an increase and/or decrease of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I, with at least one value above the 99th percentile of the upper reference limit and at least one of the following: symptoms of ischemia, ECG changes (new ST depression or negative T-waves), echocardiographic evidence of new regional wall motion abnormality. Patients with very high-risk NSTEMI were excluded. Patients were then divided into different subgroups according to the combination of diagnostic criteria presented at admission. A composite endpoint of all-cause mortality, re-hospitalization for myocardial reinfarction or heart failure was collected. The predictive value of AMI diagnostic criteria alone and their combination were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and subsequent Cox-regression analysis to find independent predictors of major adverse events. Results Our study population consisted of 2791 patients. The mean age was 68.3±13.4 and 31.5% were female. The mean follow-up time was 23.3±14.5 months. Depending on the AMI diagnostic criteria and their combination, patients were divided into three subgroups: 196 patients fulfilling only clinical criteria (group A), 187 with clinical and ECG-graphic criteria (group B) and 829 patients with clinical, ECG-graphic and echo-graphic criteria (group C). Baseline characteristics of the three groups were similar. At two-year follow-up, patients with clinical criteria alone exhibited the best outcome, whereas those with all three criteria fulfilled showed the worse prognosis (14.8% for group A vs 23.6% for group B vs 28.0% for group C; p-value &amp;lt;0.001). In multivariable Cox-regression model, the presence of clinical criteria alone was the independent predictor of better prognosis compared to the other diagnostic criteria combination (HR=0.48; CI 95% 0.31–0.74; p&amp;lt;0.001). Conclusions In non-very high-risk NSTEMI, not all diagnostic criteria have the same prognostic value. In fact, prognosis is significantly more favorable in patients exhibiting only the clinical criteria at admission. We hypothesize that the absence of ECG-graphic and echocardiographic alterations may indirectly indicate smaller infarct sizes that contribute to patients' outcomes. These findings could enhance the current risk stratification in patients admitted with NSTEMI. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

The impact of COVID-19 on right ventricular function in chronic kidney disease patients

Abstract Introduction In chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, the case fatality rate caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is higher than in the general population [1]. In patients hospitalised with COVID 19, right heart dysfunction is present in 20% of the cases, associated with an increased risk of all-cause death [2]. Purpose CARDIO-SCARS in CKD is a currently ongoing multi-center observational match controlled trial that aims to assess the cardiovascular (CV) risk in a CKD (stages 3 to 5), dialysis and kidney transplant population, following SARS-CoV-2 infection, by using clinical evaluation, various techniques and novel biomarkers (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT05125913). We hereby report the main baseline echocardiographic parameters that assess the right ventricular (RV) function. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study that included 263 patients with CKD (dialysis, transplantation or eGFR &amp;lt;60 ml/min/1.73 m2). For assessing RV function, 5 parameters were measured: fractional area change (FAC, %), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE, mm), tricuspid S' wave (S tric, cm/s), Tei index and right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWLS, %). Patients in atrial fibrillation, with a permanent pacemaker or with a poor acoustic window were excluded. Results Our study included 263 patients with CKD, divided in two groups: 168 patients post COVID-19 (94 in dialysis, 38 post kidney transplantation and 36 with CKD) and 95 patients in the control group (57 in dialysis, 30 post kidney transplantation and 8 with CKD).The mean age was 57.3±15.4 years (median 60 years old), 55.2% of the patients were males, 24% were diabetic and 9.5% were smokers. The mean duration of dialysis in the COVID-19 group was 63.8 months vs. 62.6 months in the control group. In the COVID group, the echocardiography was performed at a mean distance of 2.2±2.1 months after testing positive for SARS-CoV-2.All the parameters of RV function were better in the control group (FAC (%): 43.6±11 vs. 41.3±11; TAPSE (mm): 23.2±6.9 vs. 21.4±4.9; S tric (cm/s): 13.4±3.4 vs. 13±3.1; Tei index: 0.5±0.2 vs. 0.6±0.2; RVFWLS (%): −20.1±3.8 vs. −18.6±5.1. After performing a two-sample t-Test, statistical significance was reached only for TAPSE, Tei index and RVFWLS (0.008, 0.0001 and 0.006, respectively). Conclusions Our study is the first to describe echocardiographic alterations post-COVID in a CKD population. All CKD patients had lower values of RV parameters than those reported in the general population. Still, the CKD COVID group had lower values than CKD control group, with the same magnitude as the changes reported in the general population [3,4]. The evolution of these parameters and their prognostic significance is of interest, regarding long-term CV sequelae of COVID-19. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): The Ministry of Research and Innovation, CNCS-UEFISCDI

Hallazgos ecocardiográficos en pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico: análisis retrospectivo en un centro de referencia terciaria

IntroductionIntroduction:Transthoracic echocardiography is a useful noninvasive tool in the assessment of cardiac involvement in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the main echocardiographic alterations in patients with a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus and to describe the relationship between various disease factors and echocardiographic findings. Materials and methodsWe performed a retrospective review of patients with a diagnosis of SLE between 2016 and 2020 at a referral centre. All 98 patients were included, 87% were female, the mean age for the whole population was 35 years (IQR 27.0- 49.7), 40% had a recent diagnosis, 55% with previous or new diagnosis of arterial hypertension, 37% were using steroids at admission. ResultsAmong the echocardiographic findings, 64.3% had valvular disease, 63% had pericardial involvement, 25.5% systolic function compromise, 27.5% some degree of diastolic dysfunction, 13% ventricular hypertrophy, 46% left atrial enlargement, 87% right ventricular systolic dysfunction, 24.5% some probability of pulmonary hypertension, 3% non-infectious vegetations. The presence of lupus activity was associated with a higher percentage of abnormal echocardiographic findings. There was no significant relationship between disease duration and cardiac abnormalities, anti-DNA and positive antiphospholipid antibodies were more frequently observed in the cardiac involvement group. ConclusionWe consider that echocardiography should be part of the routine evaluation in patients with lupus. Right ventricular systolic dysfunction, pericardial involvement and non-significant valvular disease were the most frequently reported abnormalities.

Coronary Artery Disease and Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: The ARIC Study.

BackgroundWhether coronary artery disease (CAD) is a significant risk factor for heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is unclear.Methods and ResultsAmong 9902 participants in the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study, we assessed the association of incident CAD with subsequent incident HFpEF (left ventricular ejection fraction [≥50%]) and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF; left ventricular ejection fraction <50%) using survival models with time‐updated variables. We also assessed the extent to which echocardiographic correlates of prevalent CAD account for the relationship between CAD and incident HFpEF. Over 13‐year follow‐up, incident CAD developed in 892 participants and 178 subsequently developed HF (86 HFrEF, 71 HFpEF). Incident HFrEF and HFpEF risk were both greatest early after the CAD event. At >1 year post‐CAD event, adjusted incidence of HFrEF and HFpEF were similar (7.2 [95% CI, 5.2–10.0] and 6.7 [4.8–9.2] per 1000 person‐years, respectively) and CAD remained predictive of both (HFrEF: hazard ratio, 2.76 [95% CI, 1.99–3.84]; HFpEF: 1.85 [1.35–2.54]) after adjusting for demographics and common comorbidities. Among 4779 HF‐free participants at Visit 5 (2011–2013), the 490 with prevalent CAD had lower left ventricular ejection fraction and higher left ventricular mass index, E/e’, and left atrial volume index (all P<0.01). The association of prevalent CAD with incident HFpEF post‐Visit 5 was not significant after adjusting for echocardiographic measures, with the greatest attenuation observed for left ventricular diastolic function.ConclusionsCAD is a significant risk factor for incident HFpEF after adjustment for demographics and common comorbidities. This relationship is partially accounted for by echocardiographic alterations, particularly left ventricular diastolic function.