Presence Of Ischemic Changes Research Articles

Association Between Head Computed Tomography Findings and In-Hospital Mortality in COVID-19 Patients.

The present study investigated the association between head computed tomography (CT) findings and mortality in patients with COVID-19. Specifically, we focused on low-density lesions identified on head CT screenings. We performed a single-center, retrospective cohort study based on data obtained from the medical charts of inpatients admitted to the Tokyo Metropolitan Hiroo Hospital between January 1 and December 31, 2021. We focused on the basal ganglia--a representative anatomical region for assessing routine head CT in patients with COVID-19. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of low-density lesions in the basal ganglia. The primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality, and the secondary outcome was the length of hospital stay. We performed multivariable regression analyses for outcomes to adjust for patients' background and disease severity. During the study period, 1,906 COVID-19 patients were admitted to our facility. Among them, 1,203 patients underwent head CT evaluations and were included in this study. The median age was 56 years (interquartile range: 43-76 years) and 725 patients (60.3%) were male. A total of 235 (19.5%) patients required oxygen therapy on admission and 1,051 (87.4%) patients had pneumonia. Crude in-hospital mortality was 6.1% and the median length of hospital stay was 10 days (interquartile range: 8-14 days). The multivariate regression analyses showed that low-density lesions in the basal ganglia were significantly associated with increased in-hospital mortality and prolonged hospital stay. The presence of ischemic changes in the basal ganglia denoted by low-density findings may be a promising prognostic factor in patients with COVID-19.

Possibilities of the Hybrid Method (Three-Phase Scintigraphy-SPECT/CTAngiography) in the Diagnosis and Staging of Acute Lower Limb Ischemia

ABSTRACT Acute lower limb ischemia (ALLI) is a limb threatening condition with high risk of adverse outcomes. The timely and proper diagnosis of the severity of limb ischemia is crucial in selecting the optimal treatment method.AIM OF STUDY To evaluate the advantages of hybrid imaging in diagnosis of ALLI, patient selection and its severity in order to choose an optimal revascularization method.MATERIAL AND METHODS we examined 163 patients with grade 1–3A ALLI based on I.I. Zatevakhin et al. classification (2002) on a Discovery 670 NM/CT hybrid device, using X-ray (computed tomographic angiography) and radionuclide method (three-phase scintigraphy/single photon emission computed tomography with osteotropic or perfused radiopharmaceutical).RESULTS CT angiography accurately showed level of acute occlusion as well as distal arterial blood flow in all ALLI cases, thus allowing optimal choice of possible revascularization. CT angiography findings alone did not allow optimal staging of ALLI, which is essential for choosing an optimal revascularization method and were considered as supplementary. Three-phase scintigraphy allowed to differentiate the degrees of ALLI based on the visual picture and calculated data, while studies with osteotropic radiopharmaceutical 99mТс-PYP provided information on viability of affected tissues showing the areas of muscle necrosis, compared to perfused radiopharmaceutical.CONCLUSION 1. CT angiography makes it possible to assess in detail the level and severity of occlusive lesions of the arterial system and study the vascular anatomy of the lower limb to resolve the issue of the possibility of revascularization, and also indirectly characterizes the presence of ischemic changes in soft tissues. 2. The radionuclide method (three-phase scintigraphy with an osteotropic radiopharmaceutical/single photon emission computed tomography), performed in addition to computed tomographic angiography, allows not only to detect the presence of ischemic changes in soft tissues, but also to differentiate the degree of acute ischemia of the lower. 3. The hybrid method (three-phase scintigraphy in combination with computed tomographic angiography) contributes to an objective assessment of the state of blood flow in the lower extremities in acute ischemia, both at the main and at the microcirculatory

Взаимосвязь показателей вариабельности гликемии и нарушений сердечного ритма у пациентов с сахарным диабетом 1 типа

Objective: To study indicators of glycemic variability (GV) and their relationship with cardiac arrhythmias in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus according to glucocardiomonitoring data. Design: Cross-sectional study. Materials and methods. The study included 72 patients with type 1 diabetes without previously diagnosed cardiovascular pathology. Of these, 34 patients received insulin pump therapy, 38 received multiple insulin injections. The average age of patients was 39.7 ± 15.9 years, the average duration of type 1 diabetes was 15.4 ± 10.8 years. The level of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was determined in patients, and according to continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), GV indices were calculated: SD (standard deviation), CONGA (continuous overall net glycemic action), LI (lability index), MAGE (mean amplitude of glycemic excursions), MAG (mean absolute glucose). Simultaneously with CGM, Holter monitoring of the electrocardiogram was carried out: heart rate (HR), the presence and time of occurrence of arrhythmias, variability of the corrected QT interval (QTc), and the presence of ischemic changes were assessed. A correlation analysis of the relationships between GV levels and heart rhythm disorders was carried out. Results. Regardless of the type of insulin therapy, GV indicators in patients with type 1 diabetes were higher than the reference values for healthy individuals. Only 19 (26%) patients reached the target HbA1c level. In 62 (86%) people, various heart rhythm disturbances were registered, in 30 (42%) of patients there was a decrease in the circadian index (CI) of heart rate, and in 14 (19%) there was a prolongation of the QTc interval. The results of the correlation analysis showed that with an increase in GV, the HR CI decreased and the frequency of supraventricular and ventricular extrasystoles increased. Conclusion. The detected changes in heart rhythm against the background of increased GV in patients with type 1 diabetes indicate a high risk of developing a cardiovascular process. Strict glycemic control and normalization of GV can better reduce the risk of cardiac arrhythmia and the development of DCAN in patients with type 1 diabetes. Keywords: type 1 diabetes mellitus, glycemic variability, cardiovascular disease, diabetic cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy

Very early risk modeling in patients with chest pain based on the pattern on admission ECG.

The aim was to investigate the prognostic accuracy of admission ECG and its usefulness in determining the population at the highest risk of worse outcomes. Fast and accurate assessment of chest pain patients remains a challenge for clinicians. Electrocardiogram (ECG) is performed in each case of suspicion of the cardiac origin of chest pain. Consecutive adult chest pain patients with suspicion of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were enrolled in the study. The prognostic value of admission ECG changes alone and in combination with other clinical variables (cardiac troponin, diagnosis of AMI) were analyzed for the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in a one‑year observation. The ischemic pattern on admission ECG was a single risk factor of MACE (HR 2.996 95% CI 1.31-6.86, p = 0.009), contrary to the single admission high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T assay (hs-cTnT) (HR 1.79 95% CI 0.695-4.61). The highest risk of MACE was identified in case of the presence of both ischemic-ECG and positive hs-cTnT (HR 3.19 95% CI 1.496-6.81, p = 0.003). The presence of ischemic changes in ECG in chest pain population with AMI suspicion increases the risk of MACE. The group at highest risk of MACE can by identified by the additional stratification with the admission single hs-TnT measurement (Tab. 2, Fig. 4, Ref. 40). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: acute coronary syndromes, cardiac troponin, electrocardiogram, emergency department, chest pain.

Value of the ultrasound research in the diagnostic of acute strangulated small bowel obstruction

Purpose. To identify and evaluate the effectiveness of sonographic signs of intestinal ischemia in patients with strangulated small bowel obstruction.Materials and methods. For the period 2017–2019, 115 patients with SIO were treated at the N.V. Sklifosovsky Federal Research Institute of Emergency Medicine. There were 64 women (55.6%) and 51 men (44.4%). The mean age was 62 ± 15 years. In all patients, the diagnosis was verified intraoperatively. All patients underwent ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity in B-mode with the assessment of blood flow of the intestinal wall in the mode of CDI. Patients were divided on the basis of intraoperative data into 2 groups. The first group: 63 (54.8%) patients with signs of ischemia of the strangulated loop of the intestine. The second group consisted of 21 (18.1%) patients in whom intestinal necrosis was detected. The comparison group included 31 (26.7%) patients with adhesive small bowel obstruction without intestinal strangulation.Results. The most informative signs of ischemia of the strangulated intestine of the loop are infiltrative changes of its mesentery. In the second and third groups 9 (14.3%) and 12 (57.1%) participants, respectively, showed severity of intestinal ischemia, compared with 1 participant (3.2%) in the first group. The next informative criterion is the thickening of more than 0.4 cm and edema of the intestinal wall. In the second and third groups 30 (47.6%) and 14 (66.6%), in the comparison group 4 (12.9%), akinesis of the strangulated loop and paresis of the entire small intestine also directly correlated with intestinal ischemia. The absence of differentiation of intestinal wall layers occurs in (23.8%), the absence of blood flow in the intestinal wall in the CDI mode (19%), gas inclusions in the intestinal wall (4.3%).Conclusion. The assessment of sonographic symptoms allows to diagnose the presence of ischemic changes in the intestinal wall and perform surgery before the development of necrosis in the early period. In cases of late admission of the patient to the hospital, with the onset of intestinal necrosis and the associated erased clinical picture, ultrasound allows to establish indications for surgery before the development of peritonitis.

Advantages of transradial cardiac catheterization regarding complications (bleeding and hematomas), care, and hospital stay over the femoral techniques

Background In the hands of experienced operators and high-volume transradial catheterization centers, transradial coronary angiography and intervention offers improved patient comfort, decreased access-site complications, and decreased costs without compromising procedural success or long-term outcomes. Patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction, in particular, benefit from a transradial approach to coronary intervention. Transradial access has become the default mode of catheterization for a growing number of cardiologists and will undoubtedly continue to be increasingly performed. Objective This was a retrograde study in 100 patients who were involved in coronary angiography whether as emergency acute coronary syndrome or elective cases. The patients were divided into two equal groups that used radial or femoral techniques to assess the advantage of radial over femoral approach regarding complications, care, and hospital stay. All patients were subjected to the usual investigations before the procedure, and strict precautions were taken. The complications of both groups were compared together, and statistical data were done beside the hospital stay and the need for medical care. Patients and methods A nonrandomized study was done on 100 cases comprising 34 females and 66 males with mean age of 50 ± 14 years, with youngest being 39 years old and eldest being 77 years old, referred with suspected Ischemic heart disease (IHD) and coronary angiography. All patients were analyzed for clinical problems, namely, chest pain or dyspnea, and patients with atrial fibrillation were excluded from the study. Transthoracic echocardiography was used to assess wall motion abnormality by apical 4 chamber, apical 2 chamber, parasternal, and subcostal views, and blood flow by Doppler across the mitral and aortic valves was analyzed. A 12-lead ECG was used to prove the presence of ischemic changes. Myocardial perfusion images and computed tomography scanning were done for some patients. Results The incidence of vascular complications, namely, bleeding and hematomas, was much less compared with those using the femoral technique. The incidence of vascular complications was less in the elective cases than patients with acute coronary syndrome. All patients with transradial technique had mean hospital stay of 2 ± 1.22 h compared with femoral technique of 6 ± 3.34 h. The need of medical care in the first group regarding compression after catheterization, dressing, bandage, ICU transfer, and lower limb care is markedly different than the femoral technique. Conclusion Transradial catheterization also has the potential to reduce procedural costs. Fewer complications equate to shorter hospital stays. Additionally, less staffing is needed to care for patients following transradial catheterization. Furthermore, same-day discharge is feasible after coronary intervention, which shortens stays and significantly reduces costs. One study showed percutaneous coronary intervention with transradial access was associated with cost savings per patient relative to transfemoral access.

Visceral-to-subcutaneous fat ratio is independently related to small and large cerebrovascular lesions even in healthy subjects

Background and aimsThe severity of obesity is evaluated by visceral-to-subcutaneous fat ratio (VS ratio), which may be useful for predicting atherosclerosis. However, it is unclear how VS ratio affects different types of cerebrovascular lesions. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical impact of visceral fat accumulation on the cerebrovascular lesions. MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 980 apparently healthy Japanese adults who underwent a health check-up program focused toward atherosclerosis, between 2011 and 2014. Visceral and subcutaneous fat accumulation was measured using abdominal computed tomography, and its relation to cerebrovascular disease was surveyed. ResultsVisceral and subcutaneous fat accumulation was 88 ± 50 cm2 and 141 ± 77 cm2, respectively. VS ratio was 0.69 ± 0.38. Intimal thickening in the carotid arteries was detected in 849 cases (86.6%) and stenosis was observed in seven (0.7%). Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed white matter hyperintensities regarded as ischemic changes in 196 subjects (20.0%). Multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, gender, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and hyperuricemia showed that a 0.1 increase in VS ratio was related to the presence of ischemic changes [odds ratio (OR): 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01–1.10, p = 0.009], cerebral artery stenosis or occlusion (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.03–1.25, p = 0.007), and cervical plaque (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.05–1.13, p < 0.001). ConclusionsVS ratio was independently associated with both large and small vessel lesions in apparently healthy subjects.

Myocardial ischemia in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension

The precordial region. Pain in the chest in these patients is associated with relative coronary insufficiency due to low cardiac output, a relatively weak development of coronary collaterals on the background of hypertrophy of the wall of the right ventricle or reflex constriction of the coronary arteries due to distension of the pulmonary artery (viscero-visceral reflex), lowest saturation of blood oxygen at an advanced stage, as well as compression of the left main coronary artery dilutionin the pulmonary artery trunk. Many of them in electrocardiography revealed changes similar to ischemic. The purpose of this study was to identify signs of myocardial ischemia in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and evaluate the relationship of pain with the presence of ischemic changes according to 12 channel Holter ECG monitoring, and synchronized single photon emission computed tomography myocardial alone and in combination with load tests.

The role of additional computed tomography in the decision-making process on the secondary prevention in patients after systemic cerebral thrombolysis.

IntroductionPatients with ischemic stroke undergoing intravenous (iv)-thrombolysis are routinely controlled with computed tomography on the second day to assess stroke evolution and hemorrhagic transformation (HT). However, the benefits of an additional computed tomography (aCT) performed over the next days after iv-thrombolysis have not been determined.MethodsWe retrospectively screened 287 Caucasian patients with ischemic stroke who were consecutively treated with iv-thrombolysis from 2008 to 2012. The results of computed tomography performed on the second (control computed tomography) and seventh (aCT) day after iv-thrombolysis were compared in 274 patients (95.5%); 13 subjects (4.5%), who died before the seventh day from admission were excluded from the analysis.ResultsaCTs revealed a higher incidence of HT than control computed tomographies (14.2% vs 6.6%; P=0.003). Patients with HT in aCT showed higher median of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score on admission than those without HT (13.0 vs 10.0; P=0.01) and higher presence of ischemic changes >1/3 middle cerebral artery territory (66.7% vs 35.2%; P<0.01). Correlations between presence of HT in aCT and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score on admission (rpbi 0.15; P<0.01), and the ischemic changes >1/3 middle cerebral artery (phi=0.03) existed, and the presence of HT in aCT was associated with 3-month mortality (phi=0.03).ConclusionaCT after iv-thrombolysis enables higher detection of HT, which is related to higher 3-month mortality. Thus, patients with severe middle cerebral artery infarction may benefit from aCT in the decision-making process on the secondary prophylaxis.

Ишемия миокарда у пациентов с легочной артериальной гипертензией

The precordial region. Pain in the chest in these patients is associated with relative coronary insufficiency due to low cardiac output, a relatively weak development of coronary collaterals on the background of hypertrophy of the wall of the right ventricle or reflex constriction of the coronary arteries due to distension of the pulmonary artery (viscero-visceral reflex), lowest saturation of blood oxygen at an advanced stage, as well as compression of the left main coronary artery dilutionin the pulmonary artery trunk. Many of them in electrocardiography revealed changes similar to ischemic. The purpose of this study was to identify signs of myocardial ischemia in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and evaluate the relationship of pain with the presence of ischemic changes according to 12 channel Holter ECG monitoring, and synchronized single photon emission computed tomography myocardial alone and in combination with load tests.

Prognostic value of the admission electrocardiogram in acute coronary syndromes.

The presence of ischemic changes on electrocardiogram (ECG) correlates with poorer outcomes in patients with acute chest pain. To determine the prognostic value of various ECG presentations of acute myocardial ischemia. Retrospective analysis of the presenting ECGs of patients enrolled in Global Use of Strategies To Open Occluded Arteries in Acute Coronary Syndromes (GUSTO-IIb). Three hundred seventy-three hospitals in 13 countries in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. A total of 12142 patients who reported symptoms of cardiac ischemia at rest within 12 hours of admission and had signs of myocardial ischemia confirmed by ECG. On presenting ECG, 22% of patients had T-wave inversion, 28% had ST-segment elevation, 35% had ST-segment depression, and 15% had a combination of ST-segment elevation and depression. Ability of presenting ECG to predict death or myocardial reinfarction during the first 30 days of follow-up. The 30-day incidence of death or myocardial reinfarction was 5.5% in patients with T-wave inversion, 9.4% in those with ST-segment elevation, 10.5% in those with ST-segment depression, and 12.4% in those with ST-segment elevation and depression (P<.001). After adjusting for factors associated with an increased risk of 30-day death or reinfarction, compared with those who had T-wave inversion only, the odds of 30-day death or reinfarction were 1.68 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36-2.08) in those with ST-segment elevation, 1.62 (95% CI, 1.32-1.98) for those with ST-segment depression, and 2.27 (95% CI, 1.80-2.86) for those with combined elevation and depression. An elevated creatine kinase level at admission correlated with a higher risk of death (odds ratio [OR], 2.36; 95% CI, 1.92-2.91) and death or reinfarction (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.32-1.85). The ECG category and creatine kinase level at admission remained highly predictive of death and myocardial infarction after multivariate adjustment for the significant baseline predictors of events. The ECG at presentation allows immediate risk stratification across the spectrum of acute coronary syndromes. An elevated creatine kinase level at admission is associated with worse outcomes.

Antihypertensive therapy in diabetes mellitus

Approximately 150 million people worldwide have diabetes mellitus, of whom 90% are type II diabetics. It is therefore of no surprise that diabetic nephropathy has become the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Opposite to what has been known previously, kidney disease is at least as common in type II as in type I diabetes. However, because the majority of type II diabetics has hypertension for many years before diabetes mellitus becomes clinically relevant, renal lesions are often heterogeneous with frequent exclusive presence of ischemic changes. For the treatment of hypertension in diabetics without nephropathy (no microalbuminuria), drugs that exert beneficial effects or are at least neutral with respect to lipid and glucose metabolism, such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II-receptor antagonists, non-dihydropyridine-calcium channel blockers and the thiazide-like indapamide, are to be preferred. Although metabolically neutral, dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers should be used with caution, since an increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in type II diabetics treated with these compounds has most recently been described. Once that diabetic nephropathy is established, blood pressure should be lowered to 120/80 mmHg (measured in seated position). Antihypertensive treatment should primarily be based on ACE inhibitors; angiotensin II-receptor antagonists are a valuable alternative if ACE inhibitors are not tolerated. Both ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II-receptor antagonists should be used with high caution in elderly patients with severe atherosclerosis in whom acute renal failure could occur due to the presence of bilateral renal artery stenosis. Newer studies indicate that non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers such as verapamil and diltiazem may be as effective as ACE inhibitors in preserving renal function in diabetic nephropathy. A fix-dose combination of the ACE inhibitor trandolapril with verapamil is now available; it should be reserved for patients whose blood pressure and/or proteinuria can not be adequately controlled with ACE inhibitors. Finally, indapamide is the only antihypertensive diuretic with nephroprotective properties.

Fibrin formation and degradation in patients with arteriosclerotic disease.

The blood coagulation cascade was reported to be activated in patients with arteriosclerotic disease of the lower limbs (peripheral arterial disease, PAD). There is more thrombin and fibrin formation compared with healthy control subjects. In many studies, however, the presence of arteriosclerotic disease had not been thoroughly ruled out in the control group. Therefore, markers of the activation of the blood coagulation cascade were measured in patients with PAD and in a carefully defined control group, both groups being subjected to an exercise test. Twenty-two patients with angiographically documented PAD of grade II (Fontaine classification) and 13 control subjects in whom the presence of arteriosclerotic lesions was ruled out by noninvasive means in the carotid arteries, abdominal aorta, leg arteries, and coronary arteries took part in the study. Before and immediately after a treadmill stress test, the concentrations of prothrombin fragment F1 + 2 (F1 + 2), thrombin-antithrombin III complexes (TAT), fibrinopeptide A (FPA; this peptide was measured in spot urine also), and D-dimers were measured. Before exercise, the concentrations of F1 + 2 (1.0 +/- 0.6 versus 0.7 +/- 0.3 nmol/L), TAT (2.9 +/- 2.1 versus 1.9 +/- 0.8 micrograms/L), and D-dimers (318.2 +/- 270.1 versus 150.0 +/- 91.4 micrograms/L) were significantly higher in the patients with PAD compared with the healthy control subjects. FPA concentrations in plasma (1.9 +/- 1.0 versus 1.4 +/- 0.6 micrograms/L) and spot urine were not different, however. F1 + 2, FPA, and D-dimer concentrations correlated with the severity of the PAD as assessed by the ankle systolic blood pressure index (ABPI). The symptom-limited stress test did not lead to further activation of the blood coagulation cascade. However, concentrations of F1 + 2 (P < .001) and TAT (P < .01) after exercise correlated with the presence of ischemic changes in the stress-test ECG. There is evidence of enhanced thrombin formation in patients with PAD compared with an age- and sex-matched control group without clinical and sonographic evidence of arteriosclerosis. The thrombin formed, however, appears to be almost completely neutralized by antithrombin III. No direct evidence of fibrin formation was obtained, since the FPA concentrations were not different. In the patients with PAD, the higher concentrations of D-dimers are indicative of in vivo fibrinolysis. Thus, some fibrin formation must be postulated to occur in patients with arteriosclerosis.

Complementary Role of Ambulatory Electrocardiographic Monitoring and Exercise Testing in Evaluation of Myocardial Ischemia

For detection of myocardial ischemia, exercise testing is a better tool than AEM and therefore should be preferred procedure for this purpose. In patients who exhibit ischemic changes on exercise testing, the presence of ischemic changes on AEM carries significant prognostic information beyond the results of exercise testing; therefore, it is recommended that this test be performed in those who have ischemic changes on exercise at a moderate or low workload. AEM together with exercise testing can be used to assess efficacy of anti-ischemic drugs, can help to define the underlying mechanism of ischemia during daily life, and in certain groups of patients, like those with unstable angina, peripheral vascular disease, or after cerebrovascular events, it can replace exercise testing as a method for detecting ischemic changes.

Electrocardiographic ischemic ST-T changes and ventricular premature systoles

41928 consecutive electrocardiograms were statistically analyzed for the presence of ventricular premature systoles (VPSs) and ischemic ST-T changes in different age groups. VPSs were found in 2314 tracings, whereas signs of myocardial ischemia were noted in 10448 records. VPSs appeared to be more prevalent in the presence of ischemic changes than in the absence of ischemia, and those VPSs in cases with ischemic changes showed a higher correlation with aging. 456 electrocardiograms were then selected to correlate the morphology of VPSs and the areas of myocardial ischemia based on the following criteria: (1) VPSs with the same morphology were present in both limb and precordial leads, and (2) only one representative record was used on each patient who had more than one tracing showing VPSs. It was found that, especially in cases with inferior or anterolateral wall ischemia, right bundle branch block (RBBB) type VPSs appeared to arise from these ischemic areas, whereas such a correlation was less evident in left bundle branch block (LBBB) type VPSs. Although LBBB type VPSs were generally considered benign, those with superiorly oriented QRS axes appeared to be more closely associated with organic cardiac lesions than those with inferiorly oriented axes. Clinical significance of the morphology of VPSs may thus be substantiated.