Previous History Of Heart Disease Research Articles

Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease prevalence in master athletes exhibiting exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias: relevance for preparticipation screening

Abstract Background Coronary atherosclerotic disease (CAD) is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death among master athletes (≥35 years). During pre-participation screening (PPS), the primary indication for investigating CAD in these population is ST-segment depression (STD) at exercise test (ET). Additionally, a developing indication involves the identification of high-risk premature ventricular beats (PVBs). Nevertheless, the prevalence of CAD among master athletes displaying PVBs remains uncertain. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of CAD in master athletes who underwent coronary computed tomography (CCT) due to high-risk PVBs during PPS (emerging indication), and to compare this population to age-, gender- and risk factors-matched group of athletes who underwent CCT due to STD during ET (traditional indication). Methods We retrospectively enrolled master athletes with no baseline ECG abnormalities and no previous history of heart disease who underwent CCT because of a positive ET during PPS, for PVBs or STD. The entity of the disease was assessed using the CAD-RADs scoring system. Results The population resulted to be composed by 130 Caucasian athletes, median age 54 (46.5-60.5 years, 84% male), 74% practiced endurance sports. Eighty-two (63%) of them underwent CCT for STD and 48 (37%) for high-risk PVBs. A CAD-RADs of 0 was detected in 64.3% of athletes, 1-2 in 22.2%, 3 in 6.3%, and 4A-4B in 7.1%. A significant CAD was found in 10.4% of athletes investigated for PVBs at ET, and 14.6% in subjects with STD (p=0.5). Among athletes with moderate-severe CAD, 82.4% had one or more cardiovascular risk factors, while 17.6% had no risk factors (Figure 1). Conclusions The prevalence of CAD in master athletes is equivalent in case of PVBs and STD. The severity of CAD increases with an increasing number of cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, in these cases the number of risk factors is an important variable to consider in the prescription of CCT.Figure 1

A clinical Study of heart disease among asymptomatic antenatal women detected using Echocardiographic screening

Background: Pregnancy causes reversible changes in the maternal cardiovascular system. Adverse cardiac events during and after pregnancy continue to be the important causes of maternal mortality and morbidity. The signs and symptoms of pregnancy may confuse with signs and symptoms of heart disease. Echocardiography is safe, effective, noninvasive and does not expose the pregnant women to radiation hazards , so it plays a vital role in identifying the hemodynamic and structural changes in cardiovascular disease in asymptomatic antenatal women. Aim & objective: This study aims to screen asymptomatic pregnant women using transthoracic echocardiography. Material & Methods: Purposive sampling was done. The study was conducted at Apollo hospital Bilaspur from January 2024 to April 2024 enrolling 50 pregnant women from all trimester. Those with previous history of heart disease were excluded. Data was analysed for descriptive statistics using Microsoft excel and SPSS V 22 and was summarised using proportions, percentages, and contingency tables. Results: Out of 50 enrolled study participants ,60%(n-30), 28 %(n-14),12%(n-6) were in third, second , first trimester respectively . we found that 6%(n-3) of the patient have either congenital heart disease or acquired heart disease. Out of 3 study participants, 1 had congenital heart disease and 2 had acquired heart disease. Conclusion: Our study shows screening echocardiography will helpful in identifying the heart disesase and reducing maternal mortality and morbidity related to heart disease & this will justify the routine cardiac assessment in each and every pregnant women even in absence of cardiopulmonary symptoms.

Atrial Fibrillation After Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Introduction: Cardiac arrhythmias often occur during the acute phase of a stroke and can cause hemodynamic instability and sudden cardiac death. Data regarding determinants and the course of arrhythmia onset in the acute phase of stroke are still rare, especially in hemorrhagic stroke. Case report: A male, 74 years old, came to the emergency department with a complaint of weakness in the left hand and leg that had occurred suddenly 5 hours previously. Weakness is described by the left arm and leg still being able to be lifted a few seconds later and falling again. This complaint was accompanied by lips that appear pursed and severe dysarthria. The patient was said to have had a history of uncontrolled hypertension for 10 years. A previous history of heart disease was denied. A CT scan of the head without contrast showed intracerebral hemorrhage in the basal ganglia and right external capsule with a volume of 5 cc. An electrocardiography (ECG) examination showed sinus rhythm without any indication of heart rhythm disturbances. Further ECG examination after the 4th day of hospitalization showed atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response (AFRVR). The patient eventually died one day after the heart rhythm changed. Discussion: The incidence of AF varies depending on the type of stroke that occurred, the monitoring device used, the interval between initial monitoring and stroke onset, and the duration of cardiac monitoring. AF in patients can occur as a result of a hemorrhagic stroke, but it is also possible because of the presence of previously undetected paroxysmal AF. High NIHSS correlates with system disturbances in autonomous cardiovascular systems. According to current NIHSS measurements, hospital admission is required as a parameter for heart rhythm monitoring for more than 24 hours. Conclusion: Newly detected AF after ICH greatly influences the clinical outcome of patients. Understanding the mechanism and pathophysiology of new AF after ICH will contribute to a better understanding of the management of the patient. Keywords: atrial fibrillation, cardiac arrhythmia, case report, stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage

Prognostic impact of morphology and duration of premature ventricular contractions in a population without structural heart disease.

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a common form of arrhythmia associated with an unfavorable prognosis in patients with structural heart disease. It is unclear whether PVCs site of origin and QRS-width has a prognostic significance in patients without structural heart disease. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic importance of PVCs morphology and duration in this patient group. We included 511 consecutive patients without a history of previous heart disease. They were examined with echocardiography and exercise test with normal findings. We categorized the PVCs from a 12 lead ECG according to morphology and width of the QRS-complex and analyzed the outcome in terms of a composite endpoint of total mortality and cardiovascular morbidity. During a median follow-up time of 5.3 years, 19 patients (3.5%) died and 61 (11.3%) met the composite outcome. Patients with PVCs originating from the outflow tracts had a significantly lower risk for the composite outcome compared to patients with non-OT-PVCs. Similarly, patients with PVC originating from the right ventricle had a better outcome than patients with left ventricular PCVs. No difference in outcome depending on QRS-width during PVCs was noticed. In our cohort of consecutively included PVC patients without structural heart disease PVCs from the outflow tracts were associated with a better prognostic outcome than non-OT PVCs; the same was true for right ventricular PVCs when compared to left ventricular ones. The classification of the origin of the PVCs was based on 12-lead ECG morphology. QRS-width during PVC did not seem to have prognostic significance.

Severe heart failure due to peripartum cardiomyopathy.

Perinatal cardiomyopathy presents similarly to dilated cardiomyopathy and should be suspected in perinatal women presenting with dyspnoea, even with no previous history of heart disease.

Emerging concepts in heart failure management and treatment: focus on tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy.

Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy is an entity characterized by reversible dysfunction of the left ventricle, which can be induced by different types of arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, incessant supraventricular tachycardia and ventricular arrhythmia (more frequent causes). Correct identification of the causative arrhythmia and normalization of the heart rate (e.g through medical treatment, electrical cardioversion, ablation) can lead to recovery of left ventricular function. Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy should be suspected in patients with tachycardia and left ventricular dysfunction (heart failure setting), especially when there is no history of previous heart disease. Its usual phenotype is that of non-ischaemic/non-valvular dilated cardiomyopathy and it can occur in both children (main cause: permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia) and adults (main cause: atrial fibrillation). With proper treatment, most cases recover within a few months, though there is a risk of relapse, especially when the causal arrhythmia reappears or its control is lost. This is a narrative review that comprehensively addresses the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and therapeutic management of tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy. This article is part of the Emerging concepts in heart failure management and treatment Special Issue: https://www.drugsincontext.com/special_issues/emerging-concepts-in-heart-failure-management-and-treatment.

Cardiac damage in an adolescent patient with COVID-19: a case report

COVID-19 has been found to affect the cardiovascular system leading to myocardial damage. A study of 41 patients in Wuhan, China, found that 12% of COVID-19 patients experienced virus-related acute cardiac damage.Subsequent bigger Chinese studies also found acute cardiac damage in 7.2% to 27.8% of hospitalized patients. As a chronicsequela, this condition may result in cardiomyopathy. We report acase of an adolescent COVID-19 survivor with dilated cardiomyopathy with no underlying heart disease. A male patient aged 16 years old was admitted to our outpatient clinic with the primary symptom of exhaustion and had recovered frommild to moderate COVID-19 one month prior to the visit. No previous history of heart disease was documented. Physical examination showed no abnormalities. Laboratory results revealed substantially elevated NT-proBNP (7705 pg/mL) and D-dimer (1850 ng/mL). ECG presented normal sinus rhythm with poorR wave progression. Echocardiography revealed all chamber dilatation, eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy, globalhypokinetic, moderate mitral regurgitation, and reduced ejection fraction (22%). We diagnosed the patient with new-onset dilated cardiomyopathy and began treatment with candesartan, bisoprolol, furosemide, spironolactone, rivaroxaban, and trimetazidine. The recovery was steady at three-month follow-up visit. The emergence of new-onset cardiomyopathy in this previously healthy adolescent raisesthepossibility of COVID-19 acting asthe sole cause of myocardial injuryin the absence of underlying heart disease. To avoid further complications, comprehensive evaluation and effective therapy should be implemented during hospitalization and post-discharge. Additional tests such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and endomyocardial biopsies shouldbe performed to support final proof.

Prognostic implication of premature ventricular contractions in patients without structural heart disease.

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a common form of arrhythmia associated with an unfavourable prognosis in patients with structural heart disease. However, the prognostic significance in absence of heart disease is debated. With this study, we aim to investigate whether subjects with PVC, without structural heart disease, have a worse prognosis than the general population. Patients evaluated for PVC at a secondary care centre in Stockholm County from January 2010 to December 2016 were identified. We included patients without history of previous heart disease who had undergone echocardiography and exercise test with normal findings. Based on sex and age, we matched the PVC cohort to a four times bigger control group from the general population and compared the outcome in terms of mortality and cardiovascular morbidity during a median follow-up time of 5.2 years. We included 820 patients and 3,264 controls. Based on a non-inferiority analysis, the PVC group did not have a higher mortality than the control group (0.44, CI 0.27-0.72). Sensitivity analysis with propensity score matching confirmed this result. PVC patients, who after thorough evaluation showed no signs of structural heart disease, did not have a worse prognosis when compared to an age- and sex- control group based on the general population.

A 45-year-old man with sudden cardiac death, cutaneous abnormalities and a rare desmoplakin mutation: a case report and literature review

BackgroundArrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (AC) is a rare, heritable myocardial disorder that is a leading cause of ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young people. Desmoplakin (DSP) mutations account for 3–20% of AC cases. However, the number of patients with DSP mutations is extremely small in all published reports and genotype–phenotype correlations are scant and mostly non-gene-specific.Case presentationA 45-year-old man was admitted after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, with documented ventricular fibrillation. He had no previous history of heart disease or family history of SCD or cardiomyopathy. The cardiac magnetic resonance showed a mildly dilated left ventricle with an ejection fraction of 30% and a non-dilated right ventricle with mildly depressed systolic function, and extensive subepicardial late gadolinium enhancement. Genetic screening identified a heterozygote nonsense mutation in DSP (NM_004415.2: c.478 C > T; p.Arg160Ter). Cascade genetic screening of the relatives revealed a high prevalence of the genotype and cutaneous phenotype, but a very low penetrance of the cardiac phenotype.ConclusionsWe report a case of SCD and an autosomal dominant mutation in DSP that causes arrhythmogenic dilated cardiomyopathy/AC. Like the recessive mutation in DSP known to cause Carvajal syndrome, Arg160Ter may be associated with cutaneous abnormalities.

Perioperative Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients with Coronary Stents Undergoing Elective Non-Cardiac Surgery

Among patients undergoing elective non-cardiac surgery (NCS), those with coronary stent implants are gradually becoming a patient group that cannot be easily overlooked. Previous history of heart disease, coronary stents and antiplatelet agents expose these patients to dual perioperative risks of thrombosis and bleeding. Formulating appropriate plans for perioperative antiplatelet therapy will help reduce the risks and ensure the safety of patients. We herein reviewed and analyzed various aspects of perioperative antiplatelet therapy for patients with coronary stent implants undergoing elective NCS, and discussed prospective research directions in the field.

Vascular hemodynamics and blood pressure differences between young and older women

BackgroundCardiovascular disease is one of the main causes of death in the United States, and hypertension is a primary risk factor. Therefore, the primary causes of hypertension need to be identified so they may be addressed for treatment. The purpose of this study was to compare blood pressure with hemodynamic values and identify factors that may explain blood pressure differences between a cohort of healthy normotensive younger and older women.MethodsParticipants were 49 young (age: 33.8 ± 5.9) and 103 old (age: 65.8 ± 4) who were non-hypertensive, had no previous history of heart disease or type 2 diabetes, body mass index less than 30 kg/m2, normal electrocardiography response at rest and during exercise, nonsmokers, and no use of medications known to affect cardiovascular or metabolic function. Body composition measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Hemodynamic values measured by non-invasive pulse wave velocity through radial artery tonometry. Markers of inflammation measured through blood sample analysis.ResultsSignificant differences exist between young and old groups in %fat (P < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P = 0.001), large artery elasticity (P = 0.005), small artery elasticity (P < 0.001), systemic vascular resistance (P = 0.004), total vascular impedance (P < 0.001), estimated cardiac output (P < 0.001), and tumor necrosis factor-⍺ (TNF-⍺) (P < 0.001). Using ANCOVA the difference in SBP between age groups was no longer significant after adjusting for small artery elasticity (P < 0.001) and TNF-⍺ (P = 0.041).ConclusionsThese data demonstrate that blood pressure and vascular hemodynamic measures differ significantly between young and old women independent of body composition. Furthermore, these differences may be explained by the inflammation marker TNF-⍺ and/or small artery elasticity.

Bradyarrhythmic Cardiac Arrest—A Rare Manifestation of Fexofenadine Cardiotoxicity

A 66-year-old diabetic, hypertensive, and hypothyroid female presented in the emergency department with cardiac arrest, for which cardiopulmonary resuscitation was immediately initiated. She had been on oral fexofenadine for 36 h prior to the event. Post successful resuscitation, her cardiac rhythm showed high-grade atrioventricular block. Patient was treated with mechanical ventilatory support and temporary transvenous pacing. No treatable cause could be identified, and she recovered completely following fexofenadine discontinuation, without need for a permanent pacemaker. She has remained asymptomatic during 1 year of follow-up with no documented arrhythmias. An electrophysiological study at 6 months revealed prolonged HV interval (70 ms) with 1:1 AV conduction and no inducible arrhythmias. This is probably the first reported case of fexofenadine-induced cardiac arrest in a patient without previous history of heart disease.

Impact of the covid pandemic on admission for acute heart disease in a level II coronary unit

Funding AcknowledgementsType of funding sources: None.Purpose and MethodsThe Covid-19 pandemic has led to an increase in demand for Critical Patient Care Units. For this reason, level III Coronary Units have become a very valuable resource in the care of seriously ill patients, especially those due to covid. Level II Coronary Units could have assumed a greater number of acute heart patients, especially coronary, during the pandemic in hospitals that have coronary units of different levels. Our objective has been to compare the profile of patients who have been admitted to our level II Coronary Unit, retrospectively analyzing and comparing the demographic data and the reason for admission of the patients who were admitted between March and November 2019 (group I) with those who did so between the same months of 2020 (group II). Results Group I patients were 518 patients compared to 625 in group II. There was no difference between the age of the patients admitted (65.2 + 13 vs 65.1 + 13.8 years old). In the covid period, there were no significant differences between the classic risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes or dyslipidemia. There was a higher percentage of smoking among the patients. During the pandemic, the patients admitted had significantly less history of previous heart disease (40.2% vs 78%). There has been a significant increase in admissions for acute ischemic heart disease in our unit (60% vs 13.8% the previous year), at the expense of Acute coronary syndrome with ST elevation (STEMI), with a downward trend in pathologies such as arrhythmias (13.5% in 2020 vs 20.6% in 2019) and acute heart failure (11.1% in 2020 vs 12.1% in 2019). The average length of stay during the Covid-19 period was significantly shorter, 2.7 days, compared to 3.3 days in the 2019 period, at the expense of a higher turnover rate in the Unit (79.42 vs 74, 09). During the covid period, there were 36.67% more discharge. Conclusions During the Covid-19 pandemic, a significant increase in acute ischemic heart disease (STEMI) has been observed in our level II Coronary unit, which is responsible for the greater number of discharges and the decrease in our average length of stay. This has allowed level III Coronary Units the ability to assume the excess of patients in need of intensive care that has been significantly increased by the Covid-19 pandemic

The Erne Mobile Intensive Coronary Care Study : Mortality, survival and MICCU.

We aimed to measure in-hospital mortality from AMI, on WHO criteria, identify factors influencing mortality and survival and assess the performance of the MICCU. All first admissions of suspected AMI to the CCU from the Fermanagh District in 1983-1984. Some 297 patients were analysed. We recorded demographic data, previous history of heart disease and co-morbidity, status of the current attack, delay to CCU, treatment and outcome. In total, 28 variables grouped as (a) basic risk factors (18) and (b) clinical and treatment risk factors (10) were analysed. In-hospital mortality and survival and performance of the MICCU. There were 329 admissions to the CCU of all types of which 297 (90.3%) were first admissions. Of the 297, 170 (57.2%) had AMI on WHO criteria and 42 (14.1%) were dead at discharge. Crude, 28-day, mortality and unadjusted survival were statistically significantly worse in the AMI group. The multi-factor mortality analysis identified 5 variables influencing death at discharge. In relation to multi-factor survival, the MPR Weibull model identified a set of 9 variables in which the treatment variables pre-dominated over basic risk factors. The MICCU delivered patients to hospital statistically significantly earlier (5 h on average) than other modes of transport, but did not prevent more deaths than the ordinary ambulance. There was no evidence of a direct, statistically significant, beneficial MICCU effect in either of the multi-factor mortality or survival models. However, the performance of the MICCU, measured in terms of crude survival, resulted from an adverse case-mix, which, when controlled for, suggested a small MICCU benefit. The findings relate to the first year of operation of the Erne MICCU study and may improve in later years.

A Multi-Institutional Analysis of Radiation Dosimetric Predictors of Toxicity After Trimodality Therapy for Esophageal Cancer

PurposeThis multi-institutional review explored associations between radiation dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters and cardiopulmonary toxicities with trimodality therapy for esophageal cancer. Methods and MaterialsWe reviewed 465 consecutive patients with esophageal cancer treated with chemoradiation therapy followed by surgery at 2 tertiary-care institutions between 2007 and 2013. Using logistic regression, we assessed associations between lung and heart DVH parameters and cardiopulmonary toxicities and survival. Statistically significant variables were subsequently included in multivariable models, which incorporated age, smoking history, previous history of heart disease, and type of chemotherapy. ResultsThe median age of the patients was 61 years (interquartile range, 54-68 years), and 86% were men. At baseline, 60% of the patients had known cardiac risk factors, 64% were current or former smokers, and 10% had other pulmonary comorbidities. Most patients had stage II to III (96%) adenocarcinoma (94%) of the distal esophagus. The radiation therapy (RT) modalities used were 3-dimensional conformal RT (38%), intensity modulated RT (41%), and proton therapy (20%). An increased heart dose was associated with increased risk of cardiac toxicity on univariable analysis (V20 Gy: odds ratio [OR], 1.20; 95% CI, 1.08-1.33; P = .001) (V30 Gy: OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.11-1.38; P < .0001) (V40 Gy: OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.03-1.35; P = .018). No lung DVH metrics were associated with lung toxicity. Heart V30 Gy was associated with adverse events on multivariable analysis (OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.04-1.26; P = .0047). ConclusionsWe observed an association between heart dose and cardiac toxicity for esophageal cancer. The risk of cardiac toxicity was 5%, 10%, and 15% when the heart V30 Gy dose was 14%, 20%, and 30%, respectively. For every 10% increase in V30 Gy, there was a corresponding 24% increase in the relative risk of cardiac toxicity.

Revisiting the significance of right bundle branch block

Abstract Background/Introduction The right bundle branch block (RBBB) has been considered a benign finding in asymptomatic individuals. However, this concept based on a few, old, small sample size studies. Recently, the importance of the right ventricular dysfunction was focused on cardiovascular prognosis in clinical cardiology. Purpose To determine the prognostic value of RBBB in community-based health checkups cohort with a large sample size in recent years in Japan. Methods We assessed 88,089 individuals (mean age, 58.3±10.2 years; 66.1% women) who participated in annual community-based health checkups. Exclusion criteria were current or previous history of heart disease, stroke, and intraventricular block such as left bundle branch block other than RBBB. We followed them from 1993 to 2016. The primary endpoint was cardiovascular death, or all-cause death. The Cox regression model was assessed in each gender. The variables included in the multivariate analyses were age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, hypertension, total cholesterol level, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, treated-hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, treated-diabetes, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), current smoking, and drinking habit. Results The prevalence of RBBB was higher in men than women (723/29,863 2.4% in men vs. 581/58,204 1.0% in women, P&amp;lt;0.001). In both genders, subjects with RBBB were significantly older and had higher systolic blood pressure and lower eGFR compared with individuals without RBBB. In women, RBBB was associated with significantly increased cardiovascular mortality with multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) of 1.26 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03–1.54]. Then, we divided them into younger or elder groups according to the cut-off age of 65-year-old. In women ≤65-year-old, RBBB related to greater cardiovascular mortality with multivariate-adjusted HR of 1.89 [95% CI, 1.27–2.80]. However, in women &amp;gt;65-year-old, RBBB did not show the prognostic significance. In men, RBBB did not reach the significant results in all participants, however, men &amp;gt;65-year-old with RBBB showed the significant poor prognosis with HR of 1.26 [95% CI, 1.04–1.53]. Conclusions In this cohort study, contrary to common perception, RBBB was associated with increased cardiovascular mortality in women, especially younger women ≤65-year-old, and elderly men. To the extent we know, the present study is the largest and long-term follow-up study showing that the significance of RBBB differs depending on sex and age. Especially in young women who usually are less prone to show wide QRS, RBBB might represent the pathological abnormality. Although the pathophysiological effect of the RBBB on the cardiovascular outcome needs further investigation in the future, clinicians should alert the RBBB in young women and elder men even if they have no symptoms and evaluate the heart abnormality and follow them up carefully. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Primary leiomyoma of the left ventricle leading to sudden and unexpected death in a 74-year-old male: a case report

BackgroundPrimary cardiac tumours arising from smooth muscle cells are said to be very rare in the literature. Primary leiomyoma of the heart particularly in men is extremely rare. To the best of my knowledge, there are only two reported cases of boys with primary leiomyoma of the heart in the English literature. Most of leiomyoma tumours involving the heart reported in the literature are a result of cardiac extensions of intravenous leiomyomatosis through the inferior vena cava.Case presentationA case of left ventricular primary leiomyoma in a 74-year-old male is reported. He had no known previous history of heart disease but he died suddenly and unexpectedly. At autopsy, the heart measured 420 gm and when it was opened, a solid tumour of size 4 × 3 × 2 cm involving the lower left ventricle on the anterior aspect of the heart was found. The tumour was extending to the left ventricular septum and was growing by protruding into the left ventricle chamber which finally was confirmed histopathologically to be a leiomyoma.ConclusionCardiac benign tumours are rare and can be life threatening because of embolization following their detachment which is manifested clinically by stroke. Additionally, they are clinically asymptomatic; therefore, they cannot be easily detected. In case of clinical suspicion, echocardiography and other imaging diagnostic tests should be used to confirm presence of a tumour.

A study of screening echocardiography in asymptomatic pregnant women

A study of screening echocardiography in asymptomatic pregnant women - IJOGR- Print ISSN No: - 2394-2746 Online ISSN No:- 2394-2754 Article DOI No:- 10.18231/j.ijogr.2019.096, Indian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Research-Indian J Obstet Gynecol Res

Worldwide Incidence of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy and Overall Maternal Mortality.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a specific cardiomyopathy in which heart failure develops due to reduced myocardial contraction during pregnancy or in the postpartum period in women without a previous history of heart disease. The epidemiology of PPCM has been reported in various countries and areas, and the incidence of PPCM differed among these reports. The incidence was highest (1 in 102 deliveries) in Nigeria and lowest (1 in 15,533 births) in Japan. The incidence was higher in African-Americans than in other races in several reports from the United States, and was also high in African countries and Haiti, indicating that the risk for PPCM is highest in the black race. However, the study design and definition of PPCM differ among studies, and these differences may influence the incidence. Moreover, the incidence of PPCM and the maternal mortality rate were well correlated. Since maternal mortality reflects the level of perinatal health care and hygiene, this finding suggests that the extent of perinatal care is partly related to the incidence of PPCM, which reflects heart failure and cardiomyopathy of unknown cause in women.

A Multi-institutional Analysis of Dosimetric Predictors of Toxicity Following Trimodality Therapy for Esophageal Cancer

Abstract Purpose This multi-institutional review explored associations between radiation dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters and cardiopulmonary toxicities with trimodality therapy for esophageal cancer. Methods and Materials We reviewed 465 consecutive patients with esophageal cancer treated with chemoradiation therapy followed by surgery at 2 tertiary-care institutions between 2007 and 2013. Using logistic regression, we assessed associations between lung and heart DVH parameters and cardiopulmonary toxicities and survival. Statistically significant variables were subsequently included in multivariable models, which incorporated age, smoking history, previous history of heart disease, and type of chemotherapy. Results The median age of the patients was 61 years (interquartile range, 54-68 years), and 86% were men. At baseline, 60% of the patients had known cardiac risk factors, 64% were current or former smokers, and 10% had other pulmonary comorbidities. Most patients had stage II to III (96%) adenocarcinoma (94%) of the distal esophagus. The radiation therapy (RT) modalities used were 3-dimensional conformal RT (38%), intensity modulated RT (41%), and proton therapy (20%). An increased heart dose was associated with increased risk of cardiac toxicity on univariable analysis (V20 Gy: odds ratio [OR], 1.20; 95% CI, 1.08-1.33; P = .001) (V30 Gy: OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.11-1.38; P Conclusions We observed an association between heart dose and cardiac toxicity for esophageal cancer. The risk of cardiac toxicity was 5%, 10%, and 15% when the heart V30 Gy dose was 14%, 20%, and 30%, respectively. For every 10% increase in V30 Gy, there was a corresponding 24% increase in the relative risk of cardiac toxicity.