Sleep-disordered breathing and heart failure: a vicious cycle of cardiovascular risk.

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) represents an important cardiovascular risk factor that is still often underestimated and not always optimally treated. Such breathing disorders can induce several harmful effects on the heart, also favoring the development of arrhythmias, ischemic heart disease, and left ventricular remodeling. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) is more frequent in heart failure patients than in the general population, promoting the worsening of left ventricular dysfunction. Both sleep apnea and heart failure have common clinical manifestations but also similar neurohormonal characteristics, both contributing to the development and progression of heart failure and resulting in increased mortality. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying left ventricular dysfunction associated with SDB will be analyzed, and the potential therapeutic effects of gliflozins on OSA in heart failure patients will be discussed.

An unusual cause of iron deficiency anemia in a patient with severe aortic stenosis and heart failure.

There has been an exponential increase in incidence of severe aortic stenosis partially due to the lengthening of average lifespan. Among the most disabling symptoms of aortic stenosis are chest pain, fatigue, and dyspnea up to heart failure and pulmonary edema. In some cases, to worsen this symptomatology, there are coagulation disorders linked to an alteration of functional von Willebrand factor, responsible for progressive anemia. In elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis, the simultaneous presence of an angiodysplasia of the colon can favor blood dripping, which may cause iron deficiency anemia. The coexistence of colonic angiodysplasia and acquired von Willebrand disease in patients with aortic stenosis was identified as Heyde's syndrome. In the long term, Heyde's syndrome can contribute to worsen the clinical manifestations of severe aortic stenosis leading to heart failure. Here, we describe the case of a patient suffering of severe calcific aortic stenosis who developed Heyde's syndrome achieving a condition of heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction. Learning objectives: Severe aortic stenosis can alter the conformation of the circulating von Willebrand glycoprotein, causing an alteration of the hemostatic balance. When angiodysplasia of the colon coexists with aortic stenosis, a gastrointestinal blood drip can occur inducing an iron deficiency anemia that worsens the symptoms of aortic valvulopathy. This condition often remains undiagnosed. We discuss the pathophysiologic and hemodynamic mechanisms responsible for acquired von Willebrand syndrome in patients with severe aortic stenosis focusing on the clinical elements useful to raise the diagnostic suspicion and analyzing different alternative tools to recognize it promptly.

An unexpected cause of chest pain, dyspnea and palpitations in a young patient during a post-COVID syndrome.

A 31-year-old male presented with sudden onset of chest pain and dyspnea after a COVID-19 infection. Initially labeled as a myopericarditis related to COVID-19, because of the young age and low risk profile, after a multiparametric evaluation was possible to diagnose and treat an unstable lesion on an intermediate branch of left coronary.

[Endocarditis complicated by anterior myocardial infarction: a case report. What the guidelines do not say]. / Endocardite infettiva complicata da infarto anteriore: un caso clinico. Quello che le linee guida non dicono.

Acute myocardial infarction is an uncommon complication of infective endocarditis, burdened by high mortality and often underdiagnosed. Due to its reduced frequency, current guidelines do not always highlight this condition or provide clear indications regarding treatment. We present a case of acute coronary syndrome induced by the occlusion of the anterior descending artery, due to a septic embolus and treated by aspiration of the embolic material. The clinical-instrumental aspects necessary to raise the suspicion of endocarditis and make the diagnosis are then examined. Subsequently, all the possible therapeutic strategies and any complications of the traditional treatment of acute coronary syndromes during infectious valve disease are analyzed. Since clinical presentation may be extremely variable, the establishment of a multidisciplinary team would allow, in these cases, a more appropriate and complete diagnostic and therapeutic management.

Left atrial invasion of a lung cancer: a case report.

Lung cancer is the leading neoplastic form worldwide for both incidence and mortality and represents the largest contributor to new cancer diagnosis. Cardiac extensions of a pulmonary neoplasm are rare and dramatically under-diagnosed because of the extreme variability of clinical presentation and frequently are expression of an advanced-stage primary lung cancer. The invasion often happens through pulmonary veins in absence of a clear respiratory impairment. Symptoms related to the cardiac involvement as the first presentation of a malignant pulmonary neoplasm are very uncommon and related with poor outcome. Here we present a case of invasion of the left atrium of a pulmonary neoplasm with initial cardiac manifestations and a laboratory finding of hypercalcemia.

Could Low Doses Acetylsalicylic Acid Prevent Thrombotic Complications in COVID-19 Patients?

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) can induce inflammatory and thrombotic complications of pulmonary district (interstitial pneumonia), sometimes evolving toward acute respiratory failure. In adults, Acetylsalicylic Acid (ASA) is widely employed at low doses for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Apart their anti-thrombotic effect, low ASA doses also exert an anti-inflammatory action. So, when these are assumed for CVD prevention, could prevent both inflammatory reaction and pro-coagulant tendency of Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) infection. In addition, some patients receiving ASA are simultaneously treated with Statins, to correct dyslipidemia. But, for their pleiotropic effects, Statins can also be useful to antagonize pulmonary thrombo-inflammation induced by COVID-19. Thus ASA, with or without Statins, employed for CVD prevention, could be useful to avoid or minimize inflammatory reaction and thrombotic complications of COVID-19. But, further studies performed in a wide range are requested to validate this hypothesis.

The role of Ivabradine in Diastolic Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction. A Doppler-Echocardiographic study.

BACKGROUND: Ivabradine (IVA) is effective in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) or systolic heart failure in sinus rhythm. Its action consists in reducing heart rate (HR) and improving the time of left ventricular (LV) diastolic filling. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of IVA added to conventional therapy on patients with diastolic heart failure (DHF) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). METHODS: We evaluated 25 patients with DHF in the New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II-III and sinus rhythm. In these, IVA per os (5 mg/twice a day) was added to the conventional medical therapy and given for 12 weeks. Immediately before the beginning of IVA therapy and 3 months later, patients underwent echocardiographic evaluation by two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). The patterns of diastolic mitral inflow and pulmonary venous flow were recorded using 2D echocardiography, while the diastolic phase of mitral flow was recorded by TDI, from the lateral mitral annulus. RESULTS: Three months after the addition of IVA to conventional treatment, HR significantly decreased in comparison to the baseline values. On the contrary, the echocardiographic indexes of LV diastolic dysfunction improved. CONCLUSIONS: These results testify that the addition of IVA to conventional therapy in patients with HFpEF can improve LV diastolic function evaluated by 2D and tissue Doppler-echocardiographic patterns. These Doppler-echocardiographic results match with the clinical improvement of patients evaluated.

Left Ventricular Postinfarction Pseudoaneurysm: Diagnostic Advantages of Three-Dimensional Echocardiography.

We present a case of posterior left ventricular pseudoaneurysm, a rare but potentially lethal complication of inferior acute myocardial infarction. The clinical findings and the customary, noninvasive diagnostic methods used are illustrated. Particularly, the most evident display obtained by the employment of three-dimensional echocardiography in comparison to those supplied by two-dimensional ultrasonic method was illustrated.

Two-dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography and Three-dimensional Echocardiography Characterization of Left Atrial Giant Myxoma.

Myxomas are the most common cancerous nonneoplasms among the rare heart's tumors. Usually, they are located in the left atrium (LA). They are more frequent in women than in men and ranged in age from 30 to 50 years. Rarely, myxoma is completely asymptomatic and in that case represents a fortuitous discovery. However, usually, it is characterized by several symptoms as fatigue, dyspnea, chest pain, dizziness, cough, and sometimes, by sudden death. We refer on a case of LA myxoma found in a woman without symptoms but having a systolic precordial murmur. Two-dimensional echocardiography (2-DE) shown an unknown giant LA myxoma, almost completely occupying the atrial cavity. 2-D left atrial longitudinal speckle tracking echocardiography first allowed to note the changes in the percentage of "reservoir," "conduit," and "booster pump" phases of the left atrial function respect to normal subjects, revealing LA dysfunction. Three-dimensional echocardiography (3-DE) shown left atrial mass and its attachment to the atrial septum better than 2-DE. Furthermore, 3-DE allowed to define the shape of LA myxoma and its 3-D, irregular contour.

Left Atrial Longitudinal Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in Healthy Aging Heart.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial volume (LAV) and function are connected to the left ventricular (LV) haemodynamic patterns. To define the changes of LAV and functions to counterbalance age-related LV diastolic impairment, this study was undertaken. METHODS: 2D-Left Atrial Speckle Tracking Echocardiography (2D-LASTE) was used to define both LAV and functions in an aged healthy population (group II) respect to adult healthy controls (group I). RESULTS: Results showed an increasing of left atrial volume indices (LAVI) (maximum, minimum, pre-a) in old subjects in comparison with those obtained in adult healthy controls. On the contrary, LAVI passive emptying unchanged and LAVI passive fraction reduced with advanced age. Finally, LAVI active emptying increased with advancing age to compensate the age-dependent left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. The values of global systolic strain (S); systolic strain rate (SrS); early diastolic strain rate (SrE), and late diastolic strain rate (SrA) were also calculated. With reference to the function, our study confirmed that LA conduit function deteriorates with age while booster pump increases respect to adult controls and reservoir phase is maintained. CONCLUSIONS: The echocardiographic findings obtained with conventional and tissue Doppler confirmed the connection between LA functions and volumes and age-related LV dysfunction. Conclusively, 2D-LASTE appears to be a reliable tool to evaluate the role of LA to compensate the derangement of left ventricle happening with ageing.

Three-Dimensional Trans-Thoracic Echocardiography of Esophageal Achalasia: Description of a Case.

Esophageal achalasia is a motility disorder characterized by impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter and dilatation of the distal two-thirds of the esophagus. This condition may be a non-frequent reason of extrinsic compression of left atrium. In turn, this can be a cause of some hemodynamic changes such as chest discomfort, dyspnea or reduced exercise tolerance, systemic hypotension and tachycardia. We describe a case of a patient with esophagus achalasia compressing the left atrium and inducing hemodynamic compromise. The diagnostic methods, as chest X-ray, computed tomography (CT), manometry, and 2D-Trans-Thoracic Echocardiography (TTE) demonstrated the esophagus dilation, the impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, and its compression on the left atrium. Three-D Trans-Thoracic Echocardiography (3D-TTE) was firstly performed also. This last examination pointed out better than 2D-TTE the extrinsic compression of the left atrium due to the esophagus dilatation. Therefore, 3D-TTE is a true improvement for the echocardiographic diagnosis of the left atrial compression induced by esophageal achalasia.

Silymarin in non alcoholic fatty liver disease.

AIM: This study was undertaken to evaluate the hepatic effects of silybum marianum on non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: In 72 patients affected by NAFLD, main metabolic, hepatic and anti-inflammatory parameters were assayed after 3 mo of a restricted diet and before silymarin treatment (twice a day orally). The brightness of liver echography texture (hepatorenal ratio brightness) was also defined at same time. These evaluations were repeated after 6 mo of treatment. RESULTS: Serum levels of some metabolic and anti-inflammatory data nonsignificantly lowered after 6 mo of silymarin. On the contrary, Steato test, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase were significantly (P < 0.001) reduced. Instead, the AST/ALT ratio unchanged. Finally, the hepatorenal brightness ratio, as an index of hepatic steatosis, significantly (P < 0.05) dropped. CONCLUSION: The obtained results indicate that silymarin appears to be effective to reduce the biochemical, inflammatory and ultrasonic indices of hepatic steatosis. Some parameters indicative of early stage of atherosclerosis were also lowered.

Left Atrial Volume Index as Indicator of Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction: Comparation between Left Atrial Volume Index and Tissue Myocardial Performance Index.

BACKGROUND: To point out a possible correlation between left atrial volume index (LAVI) and left ventricular (LV) diastolic time interval to better define LV diastolic dysfunction, this study was performed. METHODS: In 62 hypertensive-hypertrophic patients without LV systolic dysfunction, LV volumes, myocardial mass index, ejection fraction% (EF%) and LAVI were measured by two-dimensional echocardiography. Instead, tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE) was used to measure myocardial performance index (MPI) and its systo-diastolic time intervals, such as: iso-volumetric contraction time (IVCT); iso-volumetric relaxation time (IVRT); ejection time. LAVI, TDE-MPI and time intervals where also measured in 15 healthy controls, to obtain the reference values. RESULTS: Results shown a significant increase of LV volumes in hypertensives in comparison to the control group (p < 0.05). LV mass index also augmented (p < 0.001). Instead, EF% not significantly changed in hypertrophic patients in comparison with healthy controls. LAVI raised in hypertensives wih left ventricular hypertrophy, whereas IVCT resulted within the normal limits. On the contrary, IVRT significantly raised. Accordingly, MPI resulted higher in controls. CONCLUSION: LAVI, MPI and its time intervals appear as reliable tools to non-invasively individualize LV diastolic dysfunction in systemic hypertension, in absence of mitral valve disease.

Carcinoid Heart Disease: A Rare Cause of Right Ventricular Dysfunction Evaluation by Transthoracic 2D, Doppler and 3-D Echocardiography.

Carcinoid heart disease is a rare cause of heart failure with or without right valvular heart impairments. In this study, we showed a case of carcinoid tumour with hepatic metastases inducing carcinoid heart disease. Neuroendocrine heart involvement happens for severe tricuspid valve insufficiency and plaques on right ventricular (RV) walls produced by a release of serotonin (5-HT). A patient affected by primitive ileal tumour with 5-HT-secernent hepatic metastases inducing tricuspid insufficiency is showed. Transthoracic 2-D echocardiography showed tricuspid valve regurgitation and both right atrium, RV-walls plaques and RV dilation. Continue-wave Doppler showed a characteristic "dagger shaped" spectrum of tricuspid systolic flow. RV function was evaluated with 3-D transthoracic echocardiography. In particular, RV volumes, RV ejection fraction and stroke volume were defined by this technique. 2, 3-D echocardiography and Doppler method are useful techniques to show heart valves' derangements and RV function to non-invasively detect RV impairments in carcinoid heart disease.

Is the aging heart similar to the diabetic heart? Evaluation of LV function of the aging heart with Tissue Doppler Imaging.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Left ventricular (LV) function in the healthy aging heart is modified by biochemical changes with advancing age. We employed for the first time Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI), to identify which phase of the cardiac cycle is involved. METHODS: TDI was performed in 175 aging subjects, free of cardiovascular and/or respiratory disease (group II), and in 182 healthy adults enrolled as the control group (group I), to calculate the Myocardial Performance Index (MPI). The index derives from the values of Isovolumetric Contraction Time (ICT), Isovolumetric Relaxation Time (IRT) and Left Ventricular Ejection Time (LVET) measured in ms, according to the formula: (ICT+IRT)/LVET. RESULTS: An increase in MPI in group II was shown, with significant lengthening of IRT in comparison with the same value obtained in the control group (group I), ICT and LVET were unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: The rise in IRT in the aging healthy heart is dependent on diastolic LV dysfunction consequent upon the formation of Advanced Glycosilation End-product (AGE) crosslinks with connectival proteins of interstitial myocardial tissue. Agerelated increase in oxidative stress also modifies some interstitial compounds, favoring hardening of ventricular walls. These changes are similar to those happening in the diabetic heart, and TDI seems to be able to define non-invasively which phase of the cardiac cycle is impaired.

Role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in carotid plaque instability in diabetic patients.

In order to define the role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in atherosclerotic plaque rupture in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), we evaluated the amount of this system, of the main inflammatory cells, of the collagen content and some indexes indicative of oxidative stress in the carotid plaques of both diabetic and non-diabetic asymptomatic patients. Plaques were obtained from 31 type 2 diabetic and 27 non-diabetic patients undergoing endoterectomy. Both were examined for macrophages, T-lymphocytes, ubiquitin/proteasome 20S activity, NFkB, IkB-b, nitrotyrosine, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and collagen. Diabetic plaques had more macrophages,T-lymphocytes, inflammatory cells (HLA-DR), ubiquitin/proteasome, NFkB, nitrotyrosine, MMP-9 and lower collagen content and IkB-b levels, in comparison with non-diabetic plaques. These findings indicate that in diabetic patients, ubiquitin/proteasome overactivity is associated with enhanced inflammatory activity induced by diabetic oxidative stress. This induces the NFkB release into the nucleus which, in turn, is responsible for the expression of inflammatory cytokines causing plaque rupture.

Impairment of left ventricular function in systemic lupus erythematosus evaluated by measuring myocardial performance index with tissue Doppler echocardiography.

In 44 patients affected by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) without any clinical signs of heart disease (group I) the myocardial performance index (MPI) was calculated to investigate left ventricular function. The index, as the sum of isovolumetric contraction time (ICT) and isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT) divided by ejection time (ET), was measured by tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE). Results achieved show a prolonged MPI with respect to the values recorded in healthy controls (group II). Its prolongation is due to a significant increase of IRT, whereas ICT and ET were within the normal limits. In patients with SLE without an evident cardiac engagement, this outcome seems to depend on a prevalent diastolic left ventricular dysfunction, perhaps due to a subclinical myocarditis. TDE is more precise than the conventional Doppler method in evaluating MPI and single time intervals, because their measurements are accomplished in concomitance of left ventricular wall motion rather than the flow movement.

Index of myocardial performance after early phase of myocardial infarction in relation to its location.

To define the degree of heart derangement in recent myocardial infarction (MI) occurring in different wall locations of myocardium, we echocardiographically evaluated left ventricular volumes, ejection fraction, wall-motion score index, isovolumetric contraction and relaxation time, ejection time, and index of myocardial performance in 74 patients with MI. Participants were chosen among the patients with MI of comparable extent and interesting unlike zones of myocardial walls. Mean values of evaluated left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes and ejection fraction were nearly alike in all patients, whereas wall-motion score index and index of myocardial performance were cleary prolonged in those with anterior MI in comparison with the values recorded in patients with lateral or inferior MI. The mean values of isovolumetric contraction and relaxation time suggest that a prevalent systolic dysfunction is present in the early phase of MI. In addition, the different index of myocardial performance prolongation in MI otherwise located suggests evidence that MI located in the anterior wall has more serious effect than lateral or inferior MI.