The Impact of Underlying Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment on Exercise Capacity in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension Undergoing a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.

PURPOSE: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-related pulmonary hypertension (PH) can often be reversed with treatment of OSA via continuous positive airway pressure. We hypothesized that treatment of OSA would be associated with a greater improvement in exercise capacity (EC) with cardiac rehabilitation (CR), especially in patients with PH as compared with those who are untreated. METHODS: We reviewed medical records of 315 consecutive patients who participated in CR. Pulmonary hypertension status was assessed on the basis of peak tricuspid regurgitant velocity (>2.8 m/sec) on pre-CR echocardiograms. The OSA status (no, untreated, or treated OSA) was determined on the basis of results from sleep studies, continuous positive airway pressure device data, and physician notes. Exercise capacity was assessed by measuring metabolic equivalents (METs) using a treadmill stress test before and after CR. RESULTS: We included 290 patients who participated in CR with available echocardiographic data: 44 (15%) had PH, and 102 (35%) had known OSA (30 treated and 72 untreated). Patients with OSA versus those with no OSA were more likely to have PH ( P = .06). Patients with PH versus no-PH were associated with significantly lower baseline METs in crude and adjusted analyses ( P ≤. 004). The PH and OSA status in isolation were not associated with changes in METs ( P > .2) with CR. There was a significant interaction between OSA treatment and PH in crude and adjusted analyses ( P ≤.01): treatment vs no treatment of OSA was associated with a clinically and statistically greater improvement in METs in patients who participated in CR with but not without PH. CONCLUSION: Baseline PH was associated with decreased baseline EC but did not attenuate CR-related improvements in METs. However, in the subset of OSA patients with PH, OSA therapy was associated with improved EC after CR.

2 Cases of Elusive Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Gradient.

Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) typically have septal hypertrophy and left ventricular outflow tract gradient, usually present at rest with increase under certain hemodynamic conditions. We report 2 cases of HCM in which there was subtle septal hypertrophy; the gradient was detected only postprandially, highlighting the importance of considering postprandial imaging in patients with suspected HCM. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

Integrating Advanced Lipid Testing and Biomarkers in Assessment and Treatment.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Our ability to assess and stratify atherosclerotic disease risk in patients is evolving. Recent advances in advanced lipid testing have created opportunities for clinical application of novel biomarkers. RECENT FINDINGS: Until recently, LDL-C has served largely as the singular biomarker of ASCVD and guide for decisions in treatment for high-risk groups. There are important evolutions in the measurement of LDL-C but even still, the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and ASCVD is not solely driven by LDL-C. As atherosclerosis is driven by multiple complex pathways including inflammation, it is important to expand our focus beyond LDL-C and utilize multiple biomarkers in the assessment of this disease process. Non-HDL, ApoB, LDL-P, Lp(a), and hsCRP are unique tools to aid in cardiac risk evaluation, especially in higher risk patients, though not limited to this population. A multifaceted approach to advanced lipid testing with novel biomarkers will enhance comprehensive ASCVD risk assessments.