Correlation of rheumatoid and cardiac biomarkers with cardiac anatomy and function in rheumatoid arthritis patients without clinically overt cardiovascular diseases: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Cardiac biomarkers have been shown to be related to cardiac abnormalities; nonetheless, few studies have confirmed the association between cardiac and rheumatoid biomarkers in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. This study assessed the correlation of rheumatoid and cardiac biomarker levels with cardiac anatomy and function and explored the interaction between cardiac and rheumatoid biomarkers in RA patients without clinically overt cardiovascular diseases. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among RA patients aged 18-65 years without other connective tissue diseases, overlap syndrome, heart disease, or renal failure were included. Main cardiac and rheumatoid biomarkers, including high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTropT), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), rheumatoid factor, and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA), were collected. Echocardiography was performed to examine cardiac anatomy and function. Results: The mean left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was 80.8 g/sqm, and the relative wall thickness was 0.4. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 70.3%. The hsTropT levels showed a weak positive correlation with LVMI and E/e' ratio and a very weak correlation with E/A ratio. Interaction effect between hsTropT and ACPA on LVMI was found in univariate analysis, not in multivariate analysis. Higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) increased the LVMI. Only age was related to the E/e' increase. Conclusion: The effect of hsTropT on LVMI was probably modified by ACPA in RA patients without clinically overt cardiovascular diseases. Age, SBP, and NSAID use among RA patients should be taken into account due to their relations to cardiac abnormalities.

Procedural success and outcomes after percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty in rheumatic mitral stenosis with moderate mitral regurgitation: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) is contraindicated in mitral stenosis (MS) with moderate mitral regurgitation (MR) according to the European guidelines. However, small-sized studies have demonstrated the feasibility and safety of PBMV in these patients. We aimed to study the procedural success and mid-term outcomes of PBMV in MS patients with moderate MR. Methods: The present study was a retrospective cohort study in consecutive patients with severe rheumatic MS who underwent PBMV with the Inoue technique in Songklanagarind hospital. The severity of mitral regurgitation was assessed with qualitative Doppler. The patients were grouped according to their MR severity before PBMV into moderate MR or less-than-moderate MR. Procedural success and a composite of all-cause death, mitral valve surgery or re-PBMV were compared between the two groups. Results: Of 618 patients with rheumatic MS who underwent PBMV in Songklanagarind hospital between January 2003 and October 2020, 598 patients (96.8%) had complete information of pre-PBMV MR severity and procedural success. Forty-nine patients (8.2%) had moderate MR before PBMV. Moderate MR before PBMV was not associated with a lower chance of PBMV success (moderate MR vs. less-than-moderate MR before PBMV; adjusted OR 0.65, 95% CI: 0.32-1.29, P=0.22). Survival probability of all-cause death, MV surgery or re-PBMV in the group with moderate MR before PBMV was not different from the group with less-than-moderate MR (adjusted HR 1.30, 95% CI: 0.98-1.62, P=0.10). Conclusions: PBMV is an effective and safe treatment in rheumatic MS with moderate MR.

Predicting mortality in cardiac care unit patients: external validation of the Mayo cardiac intensive care unit admission risk score.

AIMS: The Mayo Cardiac Intensive Care Unit Admission Risk Score (M-CARS) had excellent performance in predicting in-hospital mortality in the US population. We sought to validate the M-CARS for in-hospital and post-discharge mortality in Asian patients admitted to the cardiac care unit (CCU). METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients admitted to the CCU of a tertiary care centre between July 2015 and December 2019 were included into the study. Patients with intra-hospital transfer to the CCU due to intensive care unit overflow, postoperative cardiac surgery, or for monitoring after elective procedures were excluded. Cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock, respiratory failure, Braden skin score, blood urea nitrogen, anion gap, and red cell distribution width, were used to calculate the M-CARS. Patients were stratified into three groups, according to the M-CARS (<2, 2-6, >6). Of 1988 patients in the study, 30.1% were female with a median age of 65 years. Prevalence of cardiogenic shock and respiratory failure at admission were 2.8% and 4.5%, respectively. One hundred and seventeen patients died during the admission (mortality rate of 5.9%). The in-hospital mortality rate in patients with M-CARS of <2, 2-6, and >6 was 1.1%, 9.8%, and 35.5%, respectively. C-statistic of M-CARS for in-hospital mortality was 0.840 (95% CI 0.805-0.873); whereas, it was 0.727 (95% CI 0.690-0.761) for 1-year post-discharge mortality. Calibration plot showed good agreement between predicted and observed in-hospital mortality in the majority of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The M-CARS was useful in our study, in terms of discrimination and calibration. M-CARS identified high-risk patients in CCU, who had unacceptably high mortality rate during hospital stay and thereafter.

Prevalence and predictors associated with in-hospital mortality in acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction after reperfusion therapy in developing country.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence and predictors of in-hospital mortality in the unselected patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after reperfusion therapy with fibrinolytic or primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in developing country have not well established. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study design. All admission records of acute ST elevation myocardial infarction at Suratthani Hospital between October 2015 and September 2017. RESULTS: The finding between October 2015 and September 2017, a total of 431 patients received reperfusion therapy and were included in the present study. Majority of the patient were male (80.5%), almost half of the population had anterior wall MI, 32 patients died (7.4%), and 399 survived during the index hospitalization. The prevalence of chronic kidney disease, anterior wall MI, cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest in non-survived group was higher than the survived group. Echocardiogram was performed in 299 patient (69.4%) and the median left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in overall population was 51%. After adjustment for baseline variables, LVEF (aOR 0.91, 95% CI, 0.83-0.98, P=0.02) and cardiac arrest at presentation (aOR 22, 95% CI, 1.22-410.05, P=0.036) were independently associated with in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: LVEF and cardiac arrest at presentation were independently associated with in-hospital mortality in STEMI patients receiving reperfusion therapy either fibrinolytic therapy or primary PCI.

Comparison of knowledge and confidence between medical students as leaders and followers in simulated resuscitation.

OBJECTIVES: To compare both the knowledge and self-reported confidence levels between medical students as the team leaders and followers in shock resuscitation simulation training. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with all fifth-year medical students participating in a shock resuscitation simulation-based training between May 2017 and March 2018. The simulation class was a 3-hour session that consisted of 4 shock type scenarios as well as a post-training debriefing. Medical students were assigned into groups of 4-5 members, in which they freely selected a leader, and the rest filled the roles of followers. Of 139 medical students, 32 students were leaders. A 10-question pre-test and post-test determined knowledge assessment. At the end of the class, the students completed a 5-point Likert scale confidence level evaluation questionnaire. A t-test was applied to compare knowledge scores and confidence levels between the leaders and followers. RESULTS: At the end of the class, the knowledge scores between the leaders (M=6.72, SD=1.51) and followers (M=6.93, SD=1.26) were not different (t(137)= -0.81, p=0.42). In addition, the student confidence levels were also similar between the leaders (M=3.63, SD=0.55) and followers (M=3.41, SD=0.64) after training (t(137)=1.70, p=0.09). CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge and confidence levels were not different between either the leaders or followers in simulated resuscitation. With time-limit simulation training, we suggested every student may not need to fulfil the leadership role, but a well-designed course and constructive debriefing are recommended. Future studies should evaluate skills and longitudinal effects of the leader role.

Prolonged Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support In a Patient with Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms Syndrome-associated Fulminant Myocarditis - A Case Report and Literature Review.

Introduction: Myocarditis is a rare presentation of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome, traditionally associated with poor clinical outcomes. Prompt recognition and treatment are crucial. Case presentation: A 16-year-old patient presented with acute chest pain, hypotension, and pulmonary oedema 2 months after being diagnosed with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole-induced DRESS syndrome. Typical DRESS features were absent at onset of these symptoms. Echocardiography demonstrated biventricular systolic dysfunction, and electrocardiography (ECG) showed complete right bundle branch block and diffuse ST-segment elevation. The patient was admitted for high-dose inotropic support; however, his condition deteriorated. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) and intra-aortic balloon pump were initiated on the third day of admission. Endomyocardial biopsy suggested the diagnosis of DRESS-associated myocarditis and a high-dose corticosteroid was commenced. While he was ECMO-dependent, the patient suffered multiple episodes of ventricular tachycardia on a background of cardioversion-resistant accelerated idioventricular rhythm. After 24 days of ECMO support, the ventricular function improved, and ECG reverted to sinus rhythm. His recovery allowed corticosteroid discontinuation 15 months after hospital discharge. Conclusion: Typical DRESS syndrome features may not accompany the onset of DRESS-associated myocarditis. Mechanical circulatory support and adequate immunosuppression could save patients with malignant arrhythmias and delayed myocardial recovery.

Association between Aortic Arch Calcification Detected on Plain Chest X-Ray and Myocardial Scarring Detected on Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Coronary Heart Disease Patients.

Background: Coronary heart disease requires advanced investigations. However, findings of fundamental investigations are sometimes underused and/or neglected, such as plain chest X-ray (CXR) and electrocardiography (ECG). A previous study found an association between aortic calcification and coronary artery disease, but there are no studies that have investigated association between aortic arch calcification in CXR and coronary artery disease consequences, such as myocardial viability (scarring). Objective: To investigated association between aortic arch calcification detected on plain CXR and myocardial scarring detected on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) in coronary heart disease patients. Material and Method: one hundred eighty-seven eligible patients aged ≥18 years and diagnosed as coronary heart disease by CMRI at Siriraj Hospital between January 2008 and December 2014 study periods were enrolled. We retrospectively reviewed aortic arch calcification from plain CXR, demographic data, hospitalization data, underlying disease, medications used, and CMRI parameters. Results: There was no significant association between aortic arch calcification from CXR and myocardial scar by CMRI. Aortic arch calcification was detected in 86 (45.98%) and 78 (41.70%) of patients with and without myocardial scar by CMRI (p = 0.981). There was no significant correlation between calcium grading and calcium thickness from CXR and the presence or absence of myocardial scar by CMRI. Myocardial scar was detected in 52.2%, 47.8%, 51.4%, and 59.1% in patients with calcium grade 0, 1, 2, and 3 respectively (p = 0.751). Conclusion: There was no association found between aortic arch calcification detected on plain CXR and myocardial scarring detected on CMRI.

Diagnostic yield and safety of sputum induction with nebulized racemic salbutamol versus hypertonic saline in smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare the diagnostic yield and safety profile of sputum induction (SI) with nebulized racemic salbutamol solution versus hypertonic saline in smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). METHODS: The prospective study was conducted at Songklanagarind Hospital, Thailand. Suspected smear-negative pulmonary TB cases were recruited and randomized to receive SI with either nebulized racemic salbutamol solution or 3% sodium chloride (NaCl) solution. Induced sputum was examined with the acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear test and cultured for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The efficacy and adverse events of SI were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 59 patients received SI with nebulized racemic salbutamol solution and 53 received 3% NaCl solution. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the average quantity of induced sputum (1.3 ± 0.1 versus 1.2 ± 0.2 ml, p = 0.5). The percentages of positive AFB smear and TB cultures in the salbutamol group were 15% and 22%, and 13% and 17% in the 3% NaCl group (p = 0.5), respectively. Racemic salbutamol solution could increase the TB diagnostic yield similarly to 3% NaCl, but incurred less chest tightness (5% versus 15%) and bronchospasm (0% versus 11.3%, p = 0.02) compared with 3% NaCl. CONCLUSIONS: SI by nebulized racemic salbutamol solution offers equal benefits to 3% NaCl solution in increasing both sputum quantity and diagnostic yield in smear-negative patients suspected of having pulmonary TB. Nebulized racemic salbutamol does not produce bronchospasm and chest tightness occurs less frequently than with 3% NaCl. Therefore, SI with nebulized racemic salbutamol solution should be considered as a good alternative noninvasive diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of pulmonary TB when hypertonic saline is unavailable or contraindicated.