The prevalence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy according to different diagnostic criteria.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Recently published criteria by 2019 Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy Consortium set a lower threshold for reduced ejection fraction to diagnose systolic dysfunction in cirrhotic patients, and stress testing was replaced by echocardiography strain imaging. The criteria to diagnose diastolic dysfunction are in general concordant with the 2016 ASE/EACVI guidelines and differ considerably from the 2005 Montreal recommendations. We aimed to assess the prevalence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy according to different diagnostic criteria. METHODS: Cirrhotic patients without another structural heart disease, arterial hypertension, portal vein thrombosis, HCC outside Milan criteria and presence of TIPS were enrolled. Speckle-tracking echocardiography was performed by EACVI certified investigators. RESULTS: A total of 122 patients with cirrhosis fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Overall prevalence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy was similar for 2005 Montreal and 2019 CCC: 67.2% vs 55.7% (P = .09); and significantly higher compared to 2009 ASE/EACVI criteria: 67.2% vs 35.2% (P < .0001) and 55.7% vs 35.2% (P = .002) respectively. Significantly more patients had diastolic dysfunction according to the 2005 Montreal compared to the 2009 ASE/EACVI and 2019 CCC criteria: 64.8% vs 32.8% (P < .0001) and 64.8% vs 7.4% (P < .0001). Systolic dysfunction was more frequently diagnosed according to 2019 CCC criteria compared to 2005 Montreal (53.3% vs 16.4%,P < .0001) or ASE/EACVI criteria (53.3% vs 4.9%,P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy was present in around 60% of cirrhotic patients when applying the hepatological criteria. A considerably higher prevalence of systolic dysfunction according to the 2019 CCC criteria was observed. Long-term follow-up studies are needed to establish the validity of these criteria to predict clinically relevant outcomes.

Sonography of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of the groin.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is an uncommon tumor that arises from the dermis of adults. Its malignant potential is considered to be intermediate. Because the diagnosis of DFSP can frequently be suspected on the basis of physical examination reports on its sonographic appearance are rare. We report a case that highlights the value of sonography in assessing the subcutaneous extent of DFSP.

Aortic development and anomalies.

Development of the aorta takes place during the third week of gestation. It is a complex process that can lead to a variety of congenital variants and pathological anomalies. In diagnostic and interventional radiology, knowledge of aortic abnormalities and variant branching sequence is crucially important. This article gives a systematic overview of anatomical variability of the aorta.

[Anterolateral thigh perforator flaps for facial reconstruction after tumour surgery]. / Der "anterolateral thigh perforator flap" zur Deckung von Gesichtsdefekten nach Tumorchirurgie.

BACKGROUND: Individual flap design and minor donor site morbidity are main criteria in the treatment of facial defects after tumour surgery. Microvascular perforator flaps seem to follow these criteria well. In the following study our experiences with microvascular anterolateral thigh perforator flaps (ALTPF) in reconstruction of the face following ablative tumour surgery are described and discussed in comparison to the present literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 19 patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the floor of the mouth (8), the cheek (6) or the mandible (5) of stadium T3 or T4 ablative tumour surgery followed by reconstruction was performed. For covering the soft tissue defects 19 ALTPF were used. In the five patients with carcinomas of the mandible a microvascular iliac crest transplant was combined with the anterolateral thigh perforator flap for complete chin reconstruction. RESULTS: In one patient an intraoperative dissection of the perforator vessels happened. In all other patients surgery and postoperative period was free of complications. Five patients had minor second surgery for aesthetic of functional reasons. At the end there were good aesthetic and functional results in every patient. CONCLUSIONS: The anterolateral thigh perforator flap is of great advantage in reconstruction of the face after tumour surgery. Individual designing, central and save perfusion, easy to be controlled, and a low incidence of donor site morbidity are their main advantages.