Management of patients with cardiovascular diseases during Ramadan.

During the month of Ramadan, over one billion Muslims observe a water and food fast from sunrise to sunset. The practice of this religious duty causes marked changes in eating and sleeping habits. With the increasing incidence of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, the number of patients with CV pathologies who wish to fast is increasing worldwide, and in Tunisia, which is ranked as a high CV risk country. If fasting has been shown to be beneficial for the improvement of some metabolic parameters, its practice in patients with CV pathology remains debated. The Tunisian Society of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery (STCCCV) in consultation with the National Instance of Evaluation and Accreditation in Health (INEAS) has established this document in the form of a consensus after having analysed the literature with the aim of addressing these questions: -What is the impact of fasting in patients with CV pathologies? -How to stratify the risk of fasting according to CV pathology and comorbidities? -How to plan fasting in patients with CV diseases? -What are the hygienic and dietary measures to be recommended during fasting in patients with CV pathologies? -How to manage medication during the month of Ramadan in patients with CV diseases?

COVID-19 prophylaxis with doxycycline and zinc in health care workers: a prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the efficacy of a combination treatment of doxycycline and zinc in the primary prevention of COVID-19 infection in Tunisian health care workers compared with two control groups. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial over 5 months to determine the efficacy of a preventive combination treatment dose of doxycycline (100 mg/day) and zinc (15 mg/day), compared with a single-dose treatment with doxycycline versus placebo. The effectiveness of preventive treatment was measured by the significant decline in the number of cases of COVID-19 infection and/or a decrease in the viral load as determined by SARS-CoV-2 cycle threshold value using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction tests. RESULTS: We detected a significant decrease of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the group that received both doxycycline and zinc compared with other participants. We also demonstrated that COVID-19 infection was neither associated with diabetes (P = 0.51) nor associated with hypertension (P = 0.99), asthma (P = 0.52), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P = 0.27). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that preventive therapy reduced the risk of SARS-CoV-2. These results suggest that the combination of doxycycline and zinc has a protective effect in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Subclinical right ventricular dysfunction in patients with mitral stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is a strong predictor of poor outcomes of patients with mitral stenosis (MS). The aim of this study was to detect a subclinical right ventricular dysfunction in patients with MS. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study from January 2015 to June 2019 in 104 asymptomatic patients with MS (mean age: 46.1 ± 4.27 years), and compared to a group of 52 age and sex matched healthy subjects. Standard and speckle tracking echocardiography were performed; parameters of RV function were measured and compared. RESULTS: Although they were in normal range, RV fractional area change (RVFAC), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), tissue Doppler and pulsed wave Doppler RV myocardial performance index (MPI) and peak systolic velocity (S') were decreased in patients with MS (p < 0.05). The global RV longitudinal strain (LSGRV) and the longitudinal strain of the free wall of the right ventricular (LSFRV) were lower in patients with MS (p, respectively, at 0.001 and < 0.001), 53.5% (n = 47) of patients had LSFRV < - 20%. A significant difference was noted between LSFRV and 2D strain of the septal wall (p = 0.002). No difference was found between patients with severe MS and moderate MS regarding LSFRV and LSGRV. No correlation between LSFRV and FAC (p = 0.85), MPI (p = 0.62), TAPSE (p = 0.31) and S' (p = 0.78) was found. CONCLUSION: Our study showed the presence of subclinical systolic dysfunction of the right ventricle in patients with MS.

Early detection of left atrial dysfunction in hypertensive patients: Role of Speckle Tracking imaging.

INTRODUCTION: Systemic hypertension is a major health problem worldwide, it is associated with impaired left atrial (LA) function. Myocardial deformation analysis using speckle-tracking echocardiography has emerged as a promising tool to evaluate atrial deformation and function. AIM: To evaluate early changes in left atrial longitudinal strain based on speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with hypertension. METHODS: LA strain was studied using speckle-tracking echocardiography in 109 hypertensive patients without LA enlargement and 50 agematched controls. Conventional and bidimensional strain echocardiographic assessments were performed and the following parameters were measured: peak atrial longitudinal strain and strain rate during the reservoir, conduit, and contractile periods in four and two-chambers views and time to peak atrial longitudinal strain/strain rate measured in the three phases of LA function. RESULTS: LA anteroposterior diameter was within the normal range, no difference between the hypertensive patients and controls was noted (34.35 mm ±4.91 vs 31.82 mm±4.87, p= 0.16). LA maximum volume (41.78ml±10.29 vs 47ml±13.21, p= 0,01), minimum volume (23.95ml±12.18 vs 16.94ml±7.91, p=0,001) were higher in hypertensive patients, and impaired reservoir ( 31.23% ±9.93 vs 46.43% ±11.06, p=0.000) and conduit functions (14.26%±2.91 vs 21.41%±2.8 , p= 0,000) were noted in hypertensive patients compared to normotensive patients. During the contractile period, peak strain (16.73% ±3.84 vs 15.29%±2.75 ,p=0,07) and strain rate (-1.89%±0.16, -1.82%±0.21;p=0,54) were higher in hypertensive patients without reaching the level of significance. Time to peak strain during reservoir period (405.02ms±55.51 vs 387.13ms±47.48, p=0,05) and duration of diastole (163ms±26 vs 146ms±24, p= 0,04) were significantly higher in hypertensive patients compared to controls. A significant relationship between the parameters of the volumetric study and those of the bidimensional strain/strain rate study was noted. CONCLUSION: Left atrial longitudinal strain during the reservoir and conduit periods is impaired in patients with hypertension despite normal cavity size and before the detection of other echocardiographic changes. Speckle-tracking echocardiography may be considered a promising tool for the early detection of LA strain abnormalities in these patients.

Brucella Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: Brucella prosthetic valve endocarditis is a rare but a life-threatening complication of brucellosis. It remains a diagnostic challenge. Optimal treatment of Brucella prosthetic valve endocarditis is debated. Available data is limited to case reports or small case series. The purpose of this study was to systematically review all published cases of Brucella prosthetic valve endocarditis in the literature. METHOD: A systematic review of PubMed database, Google, Google Scholar, and Scopus (From January 1974 to the present) for studies providing epidemiological, clinical and microbiological data as well as data on treatment and outcomes of Brucella prosthetic valve endocarditis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 51 reported cases were reviewed. Brucella melitensis (45%) and Brucella abortus (11.7%) were the most frequently isolated species. Most common type of prosthesis valve was mechanical prothesis (84.3%) and ten patients had double valve prosthesis (19.6%). Fever and dyspnea were present in 100% and 37.2% of the cases, respectively. The diagnosis was set with echocardiographic finding in 30 cases (93.7%), which revealed vegetation in 27 cases (84.3%). Most used antibiotics were rifampicin, doxycycline and aminoglycoside or cotrimoxazole. No deaths were noted in patients treated by combined medical and surgical treatment, but mortality was noted in 27.7% of the cases treated by antibiotics alone (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: This systematic review highlights diagnostic challenges and demonstrates that surgery improved outcome by reducing mortality in patients treated with the combined surgical and medical treatment option. Brucellosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of prosthetic valve endocarditis in patients residing in or traveling to areas of endemicity.

Immediate Psychological Responses, Stress Factors, and Coping Behaviors in Military Health-Care Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Tunisia.

Objective: The COVID-19 epidemic began in Tunisia in March 2020; health-care workers (HCWs) were suddenly confronted with a particularly stressful situation. The aim of this study was to assess the psychological responses of HCWs during the epidemic, determine the stressors and identify ways to cope. Methods: This cross-sectional study used an online questionnaire that included 62 questions. ANOVAs and t-tests were used to compare the responses between professional groups, age groups, and genders. Results: Questionnaires were completed by 368 HCWs. HCWs believed they had a social and professional obligation to continue working long hours (95.3%). They were anxious regarding their safety (93.7%) and the safety of their families (97.8%). Youthful age (p = 0.044) and female gender (ps <0.046) were identified as stressors. The availability of personal protective equipment (PPE; 99.7%) and good communication between colleagues (98.1%) and managers (91.6%) were important protective factors. Family and friend support (95.9%), following strict protective measures (99.4%), knowing more about COVID-19 (94.8%), adopting a positive attitude (89.6%), and engaging in leisure activities (96.1%) helped in dealing with this epidemic. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of providing HCWs with infection control guidelines and adequate PPE. Communication and support within the team and maintaining family support help in coping with this stressful situation.

Sudden death complicating a coronary arteritis: polyarteritis nodosa (case report).

Coronary artery aneurysms are uncommon, are usually associated with atherosclerosis, and rarely involve all three major coronary arteries. Data on the optimal choice of acute myocardial infarction (AMI)´s revascularization in the context of polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is limited to case reports and is still an open question. The present report describes a rare case of a young male patient followed for PAN presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Coronary angiography revealed multiple severe aneurysmal and stenotic changes. Based on clinical feature and angiographic findings, it was strongly suspected that the AMI was a complication of his vasculitis. This case indicates that coronary artery involvement should be carefully monitored during the chronic phase of PAN. The pathophysiology of AMI in PAN patients should be kept in mind and the interventional approach must be performed according to the angiographic findings to avoid complications.

Is there a latent left ventricular dysfunction in hypertensive patients with preserved ejection fraction?

INTRODUCTION: Early detection of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction may represent a clinical finding that would justify aggressive treatment aimed to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. AIM: To evaluate longitudinal contractility in patients with essential hypertension and preserved LV ejection fraction (EF), in an attempt to detect latent impairment of LV systolic function. METHODS: Prospective case-control study carried out on 121 (67 male/54 female) hypertensive patients (HTN group) with preserved EF and without any symptoms of heart failure and 39 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects as a control group. Conventional echocardiographic study, as well as 2D Longitudinal strain imaging by 2D-speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE), were performed. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 60,48 ± 10.5 years old. The LV end-diastolic diameter and LVEF were comparable between the two groups. Hypertensive patients had greater septal thickness, left ventricular mass, and maximum left atrium volume (p respectively at 0.02; 0.04; and 0.01). Only 20 patients (16.5%) had left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). The architecture of LV was normal in 57.8 % (n=70) patients. A statistically significant difference between the two groups was found for all diastolic function parameters except Em /Ea ratio and DTEm. In comparison with normal controls, GLS was significantly attenuated in patients with HTN (-17.69 ± 4.06 % versus -22.70 ± 5.02% in controls (p=0.000) and 67 (55.4%) hypertensive patients had a GLS<-20% (in absolute value). The decrease of GLS was more marked in the hypertensive group with left ventricular hypertrophy. CONCLUSION: The results of our study confirmed that GLS is a sensitive biomarker of subclinical myocardial dysfunction in hypertensive patients, this suggests that identifying patients at higher risk for heart failure and earlier inter¬vention may be beneficial.

Cardiac tamponade: an uncommon presenting feature of systemic lupus erythematosus (a case-based review).

Although pericarditis is the most prevalent cardiac involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), cardiac tamponade is extremely infrequent notably as the first manifestation of the disease. Here we report the case of a 22-year-old woman presenting with cardiac tamponade as the initial presentation of SLE.

Penetrating injury of the ascending aorta complicating a sternal biopsy.

Bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsy are considered safe procedures. Some serious but rare adverse events directly attributable to these procedures have been related in a few reports in the literature. We report a rare case of ascending aortic injury following a sternal trephine biopsy.

Particularities of cardiac surgery in chronic hemodialysis patients.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in chronic hemodialysis patients(1). Cardiac surgery in hemodialysis patients exposes to higher risks inherent in the particular status of these patients. The aim of our study is to report the perioperative particularities of hemodialysis patients undergoing cardiac surgery, and to determine the impact of preoperative clinical status on hospital and late morbidity and mortality. METHODS: Between January 1998 and December 2012, 48 patients in chronic hemodialysis (HD) and candidates for cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass were retrospectively included. RESULTS:   The mean age was 56 years. Causes of renal insufficiency were dominated by diabetes (n = 20; 42%) and nephroangiosclerosis (n= 9, 18.8%). The duration of HD was 48.22 ± 44.5 months (1 month -11 years). Surgical procedures included coronary artery bypass grafting CABG (n = 33, 68.75%), Valvular replacement (n = 13, 27%) and combined surgery (n = 2, 4.25%). Nine patients (18.8%) underwent emergency surgery. The mean Euroscore I was 8.82 ± 7.76. Hospital mortality was 20.8%. Postoperative complications were observed in 87.5%patients. Age, diabetic nephropathy, Duration of hemodialysis greater than 54 months, preoperative hemoglobin <9 g / dl, combined surgery and emergency surgery were independent predictors of hospital mortality with odds ratio respectively 1.21; 2.7; 2.54; 1.83; 2.54 and 2.85. The survival rates at 1, 4 and 7 years were respectively 75, 65 and 50%. CONCLUSION:   Age, diabetic nephropathy, Duration of hemodialysis greater than 54 months, preoperative hemoglobin <9 g / dl, combined surgery and emergency surgery are predictive factors for hospital mortality. Early diagnosis of coronary and valvular damage and preoperative preparation considering these factors could improve the prognosis.

Value of euroscore II to predict operative mortality in infectious endocarditis surgery.

BACKGROUND: Stratification of surgical risk is an important step in cardiac surgery, often based on the estimation of operative mortality. The EuroSCORE II (ES II) incorporates several factors in the calculation of mortality, but few are specific to Infectious endocarditis (IE). AIM: Our study is aimed to evaluate the predictive power of the Es II in the surgery of IE and to test its discriminating power according to certain specific parameters of the IE. METHODS: 55 surgical procedures were carried out between January 2000 and June 2012 (37 EI on native valves and 18 on prosthesis). The mortality observed was compared with the mortality predicted by Es II. The discriminant capacity of the Es II model was tested using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve model by comparing the areas under the curve (AsC). RESULTS: For our cohort The observed mortality was 30.9 % , the mortality predicted by Es II was 10.5%. in general, the EsII discriminatory capacity for mortality was satisfactory: the ROC AsC was 0,76. By analyzing the subgroups of the endocarditis, Es II lost its discriminating power: theROC AsC was: 0.64 for staphylococcal, 0.62 for the annular abscess and 0.56 for endocarditis on prosthesis. CONCLUSION: The EuroSCORE II model has a satisfactory discriminating power in the IE. However, analysis of subgroups leads to decrease in this discriminating power. Thus, some specific parameters of the IE, which do not appear in the EuroSCORE II model, should be taken into accountwhen analyzing mortality.

[In-hospital prognosis of right ventricular myocardial infarction]. / Pronostic a la phase hospitalière de l'infarctus du ventricule droit.

AIM: To identify prognostic risk factors for in-hospital outcome of right ventricular myocardial infarction (RVI). METHODS: A retrospective study of 20 patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction with a RVI defined by ST segment elevation > or = 1 mm in V3R and V4R leads. RESULTS: The mean age was 62 years. RVI was associated with an inferior myocardial infarction in 18 patients. Half of the patients had hemodynamic complication on admission (cardiogenic shock in 4 cases, right ventricular failure in 6 cases) and third degree atrio-ventricular block was present in 5 patients. Sixteen patients (80%) received thrombolysis and 3 went to an emergency angioplasty. The in-hospital mortality was 25% caused by a cardiogenic shock in 4 patients and a ventricular fibrillation in 1 patient. Statistic analysis showed that cardiogenic shock on admission, the absence of thrombolytic therapy and the low ejection fraction of the left ventricle were associated with a high in-hospital mortality (p = 0.004, p = 0.03, p = 0.03 respectively). CONCLUSION: In-hospital outcome of RVI is characterized by hemodynamic complications leading to a high incidence of mortality. Thus RVI must be diagnosed quickly and maximal therapeutic efforts must be done to procure the opening of the occluded coronary artery.

[Radiofrequency ablation of accessory atrioventricular pathways. Predictive factors of immediate and long-term results]. / Ablation par radiofréquence des voies accessoires auriculo-ventriculaires. Facteurs prédictifs du résultat immédiat et à long-terme.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of catheter ablation of accessory pathways (APs) and to identify predictive factors of acute result and outcome. The patient population included 173 patients who had undergone ablation of an AP. The success rate was 91.6%, a major complication occurred in 4 patients (2.3%) and 8 patients (4.9%) developed a recurrence after a successful ablation procedure. Only one factor predicted success (sex), tow variables predicted development of a major complication (septal AP, age < 16 years), and three factors predicted arrhythmia recurrence (mid septal, right free wall, and multiple APs). CONCLUSION: The results of this study may serve to identify sub-groups of patients most likely to have a favourable result in whom it would be reasonable for clinicians to recommend catheter ablation as first-line therapy.