Comparison of the Effect of Non-HDL-C/HDL-C Ratio on Coronary Slow Flow with Other Non-Traditional Lipid Markers.

Background: Coronary slow flow (CSF) is a microvascular disease characterized by delayed opacification of the epicardial coronary arteries during angiography. The main pathogenesis of CSF is endothelial dysfunction caused by diffuse atherosclerosis. Dyslipidemia is one of the primary factors raising the risk of atherosclerosis. Compared to conventional lipid profiles, non-traditional lipid profiles more accurately reflect dyslipidemic status. In this work, we compared the non-high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C)/HDL-C ratio (NHHR) with other conventional and non-conventional lipid profiles in order to determine its impact on CSF. Methods: A total of 9112 subjects who underwent coronary angiography were screened retrospectively, of whom 130 subjects with CSF and 130 subjects with normal CF were included. Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of CSF. Additionally, in order to predict CSF, the diagnostic accuracies of NHHR and other non-traditional lipid profiles were examined. Results: There were significantly higher non-traditional lipid profiles in the CSF group (all p < 0.001). Compared to other non-traditional lipid profiles, NHHR had a stronger association with thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count (r = 0.3593, p < 0.0001). In addition to NHHR, non-HDL-C, Castelli's risk index-II, atherogenic index of plasma, plasma glucose, dyslipidemia, smoking, and body mass index were identified as independent predictors of CSF. The ability of NHHR to detect CSF was superior to other non-traditional lipid profiles (area under the curve: 0.785; confidence interval: 0.730-0.840; p < 0.001). Conclusions: NHHR was found to be a potent and reliable predictor of CSF. This indicates that NHHR can be used as a reliable biomarker for risk stratification of CSF.

Echocardiographic assessment of pulmonary capillary wedge pressure in patients with frequent premature ventricular complexes.

BACKGROUND: Premature ventricular complex (PVC) is seen in most individuals. It has been shown that the kinetics-tracking index or Kawasaki-Tanaka index (KT index) strongly predicts pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) by noninvasively. KT index was defined as log10 (active LAEF/minimum LAV index). We goaled to assess PCWP non-invasively in patients with frequent PVCs with normal left ventricular systolic functions and to evaluate whether there is an increase in PCWP before systolic and diastolic functions are impaired. METHODS: About 55 patients with frequent PVCs as a patient group and 54 healthy volunteers as a control group were involved to the study. After the conventional echocardiographic examination, the vendor-independent software system (EchoPAC version 202) was used to obtain the time-left atrial volume (LAV) curve. total left atrial emptying function (LAEF), passive LAEF, and active LAEF were calculated to evaluate phasic left atrial (LA) function. In this study, ePCWP was calculated using the KT index, and KT index results and other echocardiographic parameters were compared between study groups. RESULTS: LA anterior-posterior dimension, LA maximum volume index, and LA minimum volume index were significantly larger in the patient group (all p values < .001). Total LAEF were significantly reduced in patients with frequent PVC (p < .001). Estimated pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (ePCWP) by KT index was significantly higher in patients with frequent PVCs (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with frequent PVC had increased ePCWP as assessed by KT index.

High AST/ALT Ratio Is Associated with Cardiac Involvement in Acute COVID-19 Patients.

Background and Objectives: We aimed to assess the effect of AST/ALT ratio on echocardiographic and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) parameters after COVID-19 patients recover. Materials and Methods: 87 patients with COVID-19 were included in the study. The patients were hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia, but the patients did not need intensive care unit follow-up or non-invasive mechanical ventilation support. After a discharge and two weeks following the positive swab test result, patients were considered eligible if they had any symptoms. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed within 24 h prior to CMRI. The median value of AST/ALT ratio was found, and the study population was divided into two subgroups based on the median AST/ALT ratio value. The clinical features, blood test, TTE and CMRI results were compared between subgroups. Results: C-reactive protein, D-dimer and fibrinogen were found to be significantly higher in patients with high AST/ALT ratio. LVEF, TAPSE, S', and FAC were significantly lower in patients with high AST/ALT ratio. LV-GLS were significantly lower in patients with high AST/ALT ratio. In CMRI, native T1 mapping signal, native T2 mapping signal and extracellular volume raised significantly in patients with high AST/ALT ratio. Right ventricle stroke volume and right ventricle ejection fraction were significantly lower in patients with high AST/ALT ratio, but right ventricle end systolic volume was significantly higher in patients with high AST/ALT ratio. Conclusion: High AST/ALT ratio is related to impaired right ventricular function parameters with CMRI and echocardiography after recovery from acute COVID-19. Assessment of AST/ALT ratio at hospital admission may be used to assess the risk of cardiac involvement in COVID-19 disease, and these patients may require closer follow-up during and after the course of COVID-19.

Could premature ventricular contractions lead to atrial remodeling?

BACKGROUND: Premature ventricular contraction (PVC) is a frequent kind of arrhythmia that affects around 1% of the general population. While PVC most frequently impairs ventricular function in structurally normal heart, retrograde ventriculo-atrial conduction can occur in people with PVC. These retrograde atrial activations may mimic pulmonary vein-derived atrial ectopies. As a result, PVC may raise the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) by retrograde ventriculo-atrial conduction. The Four-Dimensional Automated Left Atrial Quantification (4D Auto LAQ) tool is a left atrial analytical approach that utilizes three-dimensional volume data to quantify the volume, as well as LA longitudinal and circumferential strains. The purpose of this study was to determine if clinical diagnosis of PVC is connected with abnormal LA function as determined by LA strain evaluation utilizing a 4D Auto LAQ compared to the healthy population. METHODS: The 58 patients with frequent PVCs and 53 healthy volunteers as a control group were enrolled in the study. Imaging was performed using the GE Vivid E95 echocardiography equipment (GE Healthcare; Vingmed Ultrasound, Horten, Norway) equipped with an M5S probe (frequency range: 1.5-4.6 MHz) and a 4V probe (frequency range: 1.5-4.0 MHz). Images were imported into and were selected for analysis using the EchoPAC203 software (GE Healthcare). The analysis mode was selected, followed by the volume and 4D Auto LAQ submodes. Following that, the sample point was positioned in the center of the mitral orifice in each of the three planes. The review function was used to acquire the LA parameters measured by 4D Auto LAQ, including volume and strain parameters. RESULTS: The maximum left atrial volume (LAVmax) and minimal left atrial volume (LAVmin) were significantly higher in the patient group (38.91 ± 9.72 vs. 46.31 ± 10.22, 17.75 ± 4.52 vs. 23.10 ± 7.13, respectively, all p values <.001). On the other hand left atrial reservoir longitudinal strain (LASr), conduit longitudinal strain (LAScd), contraction longitudinal strain (LASct), reservoir circumferential strain (LASr-c), conduit circumferential strain (LAScd-c), and contraction circumferential strain (LASct-c) were significantly lower in patient group (26.64 ± 5.64 vs.19.16 ± 4.58, -19.53 ± 3.72 vs. -11.28 ± 3.47, -10.34 ± 1.56 vs. -4.59 ± 1.49, 30.72 ± 4.04 vs. 19.31 ± 2.60, -19.91 ± 1.78 vs. -13.38 ± 2.85, -15.89 ± 6.37 vs. -9.24 ± 1.63, respectively, all p values <.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present study found that premature ventricular complexes can lead to atrial remodeling as well as ventricular remodeling in patients with PVC and 4D LAQ technology can quantitatively examine left atrial function and determine these alterations early.

The effects of SARS-CoV-2 on hearing thresholds in COVID-19 patients with non-hospitalized mild disease.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 may have many nonspecific symptoms, such as hearing loss, tinnitus and dizziness. This study aims to investigate the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the hearing thresholds of patients with COVID-19. METHODS: A total of 20 patients aged 20-55 years who were diagnosed with COVID-19 were included in this study. The relationship between the pure-tone thresholds of patients before and after COVID-19 was evaluated. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between bone conduction pure-tone thresholds in all frequencies before and after COVID-19. CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 has no effects on the hearing thresholds in patients with non-hospitalized mild COVID-19 disease. Further studies are needed to investigate the possible effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the auditory system.

Eustachian tube dysfunction after using different types of masks during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the use of different types of masks (N95/filtering facepiece type 2, surgical) and Eustachian tube dysfunction in healthcare workers. METHODS: The study included 37 healthcare workers using N95/filtering facepiece type 2 masks and 35 using surgical masks for at least 6 hours per day, and 42 volunteers who are not healthcare workers using surgical masks for less than 6 hours per day. Participants' demographic features, clinical data and Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire scores were compared. RESULTS: The frequencies of autophony and aural fullness were significantly higher in the healthcare workers using N95/filtering facepiece type 2 masks. Autophony and aural fullness were significantly greater in the post-mask period than the pre-mask period. Middle-ear peak pressures and Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire scores were higher in healthcare workers who used N95/filtering facepiece type 2 masks. CONCLUSION: Healthcare workers who used N95/filtering facepiece type 2 masks had worsened middle-ear pressures and Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire scores. Use of N95/filtering facepiece type 2 masks was associated with higher rates of autophony, aural fullness and higher Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire scores in the post-mask period.

Inflammation-based markers, especially the uric acid/albumin ratio, are associated with non-dipper pattern in newly diagnosed treatment-naive hypertensive patients.

OBJECTIVE: Physiologically, at night, blood pressure (BP) is expected to decrease by at least 10% in hypertensive individuals. The absence of this decrease, called non-dipper hypertension, is associated with increased end-organ damage and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in hypertensive individuals. It is known that increased inflammatory process plays an important role in the etiopathogenesis of non-dipper hypertension pattern. In recent years, it has been shown that inflammation-based markers (IBMs) obtained by combining various inflammation-related hematological and biochemical parameters in a single fraction have stronger predictive value than single inflammatory parameters. However, until now, there has not been a study investigating the relationship of these markers with dipper/non-dipper status in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients. METHODS: Based on ambulatory BP monitoring, 217 dipper and 301 non-dipper naive hypertensive subjects were included in this study. All subjects' IBM values were compared between dipper and non-dipper hypertensive individuals. RESULTS: IBMs [C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR), monocyte/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio, systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), uric acid/albumin ratio (UAR)] were significantly higher in the non-dipper group. CAR, MHR, NLR, SII, and UAR were determined as independent predictors for non-dipper pattern (P < 0.05, for all). Also, UAR's diagnostic performance for non-dipper pattern was found to be superior to other IBMs (area under the curve: 0.783, 95% confidence interval: 0.743-0.822; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest an association between elevated IBMs, particularly UAR, and the non-dipper hypertension pattern observed in our study.

Atherogenic Combined Index: Validation of a Novel Predictive Lipid Biomarker for the Presence and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The balance between atherogenic and antiatherogenic lipid particles significantly influences coronary artery disease (CAD), as an imbalance may contribute to the development and progression of atherosclerosis, which affects the risk and severity of CAD. This study aims to introduce and validate the atherogenic combined index (ACI) as a novel lipid biomarker that, comprehensively assesses the balance between atherogenic and antiatherogenic particles in the blood to effectively reflect the cumulative atherogenic effect and its association with the presence and severity of CAD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 1,830 patients diagnosed with CAD and a total of 650 patients without CAD were included in the study cohort for comprehensive analysis and comparison. Based on the tertiles of the SYNTAX score (SS), three subgroups of patients with CAD were identified. ACI and other atherogenic indices were compared to predict the presence and severity of CAD. RESULTS: The levels of ACI and other non-traditional lipid markers levels were higher in the CAD group compared to the non-CAD group (p <0.05, for all). ACI showed a good linear association with the SYNTAX score (r = 0.527; p <0.001). The multivariate logistic regression model showed that ACI was an independent predictor of the presence (OR: 1.602, 95% CI: 1.509-1.701, p <0.001) and severity (OR: 1.296, 95% CI: 1.243-1.351, p <0.001) of CAD after adjustment for various confounders. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that ACI may serve as a promising and stronger tool for predicting the presence and severity of CAD.

Prognostic value of serum albumin to creatinine ratio in patients undergoing carotid artery stenting.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of serum albumin-to-creatinine ratio (sACR) in carotid artery stenting (CAS) patients regarding in-hospital and 5-year outcomes. METHODS: This is a retrospective study. Baseline characteristics were compared between patients by admission albumin to creatinine ratio and categorized accordingly: T1, T2 and T3. 609 patients were included in the study. Serum albumin and creatinine levels at hospital admission were used to calculate the sACR. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. MACE consisted of stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), myocardial infarction (MI) and death. All follow-up data were obtained from electronic medical records or by interview. The study was terminated after 60 months of follow-up. RESULTS: Serum albumin levels were found to be significantly lower in T1, while creatinine was found to be significantly higher in T1. T1 has the lowest sACR while T3 has the highest. In hospital, ipsilateral stroke, major stroke, MI and death were significantly higher in T1. In long-term outcomes, ipsilateral stroke, major stroke, and death were significantly higher in T1. CONCLUSIONS: Low sACR values at hospital admission was independently associated with in-hospital and long-term mortality and major stroke in patients underwent CAS.

Assessment of atrial conduction times in patients with frequent premature ventricular complex.

Background: Premature ventricular complex (PVC) is a frequent finding in the general population. The atrial conduction time (ACT) is the period between the electrocardiographic P wave and the atrial mechanical contraction, and its prolongation indicates an atrial electromechanical delay (EMD). In our study, we compared atrial conduction parameters by echocardiographic methods between patients with frequent PVC and healthy control subjects. Methods: The study included 54 patients with PVC and 54 healthy volunteers. Atrial conduction parameters were measured with echocardiographic examination. The time difference between the p wave and the Am wave was measured in the septal, lateral, and tricuspid annulus regions. The interatrial EMD, left atrial intra-atrial delay, and the right atrial intra-atrial delay were calculated from these measurements. The groups were compared for demographic and electrocardiographic features and echocardiographic parameters. Results: Left intra-atrial EMD, right intra-atrial EMD, and interatrial EMD were significantly longer in the patient group (p = .001, p < .001, p < .001, respectively). PA lateral, PA septal, and PA tricuspid durations were significantly prolonged in the patient group (all p < .001). All ACT parameters were significantly prolonged in patients with PVC QRS duration of 150 ms and above (all p < .001). All ACT parameters were prolonged in PVCs of right ventricular origin than those of left ventricular origin (all p < .001). ACT parameters were prolonged in patients with a coupling interval time below 485 ms (all p < .001). Conclusions: Atrial conduction times are prolonged in patients with frequent PVC.

May myocardial work predict the risk of cardiomyopathy in patients with premature ventricular complex?

BACKGROUND: An increased premature ventricular complex (PVC) frequency is related to an increased risk of cardiomyopathy. Changes in myocardial work (MW) parameters in patients with PVC may be a predictor of the development of cardiomyopathy. METHODS: The study included 56 patients with PVC and 50 healthy volunteers as a control group. A comprehensive echocardiographic examination was done. A speckle tracking echocardiography was used to obtain the left ventricle (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS). A bull's eye plot of the global MW index and the global work efficiency of 17 left ventricle segments with MW component values were generated. RESULTS: Global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), and global work efficiency (GWE) were significantly lower in the patient group (2377.84 ± 216.52 vs.1818.30 ± 283.73, 2734.00 ± 208.90 vs. 2283.73 ± 321.65, 92.48 ± 2.85 vs. 87.75 ± 3.87, respectively, all p values <0.001). Global wasted work (GWW) was significantly higher in the patient group (216.80 ± 26.86 vs. 302.13 ± 41.81, p < 0.001) Patients were compared according to the origin of PVCs. GWI, GCW, GWE were significantly lower and GWW was significantly higher in patients with PVC originating from the right ventricle or the epicardial region (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to healthy individuals, patients with PVC had lower GCW, GWI, GWE values and a higher GWW value than healthy individuals, similar to cardiomyopathy patients. Therefore, the detoriation in MW parameter in patients with PVC may be a predictor of cardiomyopathy development.

A 28-year-old male with spontaneous coronary artery dissection complicated by apical thrombus and acute ischemic stroke: An interesting case.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is described as the intramural bleeding that separates the layers of an epicardial coronary artery wall, either with or without an intimal tear. Atherosclerosis, iatrogenic damage, or trauma are not linked to this syndrome. Here we present a 28-year-old male with 1 month history stroke but no any chronic disease as well family history of heart disease who presented with 2 days' duration of typical cardiac chest pain. Based on an emergency electrocardiogram that showed biphasic T-wave inversion with ST-elevation myocardial infarction, the patient was taken to the a  catheterization laboratory(cath-lab), with the result of spontaneous coronary artery dissection of the left anterior dissenting artery with thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow grade 0 and normal of other vessels. Then we successfully did angioplasty, and the patient was discharged with aspirin 100 mg 1 × 1, clopidogrel 75 mg 1 × 1, and rivaroxaban 20 mg 1 × 1.

Does Premature Ventricular Complex Impair Left Ventricular Diastolic Functions?

BACKGROUND: A higher frequency of premature ventricular complexes is associated with a higher risk of premature ventricular complex-induced cardiomyopathy. Although there are several studies on the systolic functions of the left ventricle in this patient group, it is clearly not known how the diastolic functions of the left ventricle are affected. This study examined the effect of premature ventricular complex on left ventricle diastolic functions using diastolic strain rate. METHODS: The trial included 57 patients with frequent premature ventricular complexes and 54 healthy volunteers. The patient was evaluated using echocardiography in its entirety. The vendor-independent software system determined systolic and diastolic strain parameters via 2-dimensional speckle tracking analysis. Using the auto strain 3P semi-automated endocardial boundary tracking instrument, the global longitudinal strain was measured from the apical 4-chamber, 2-chamber, and long axis. The diastolic strain rate was determined by averaging the strain rates of 17 cardiac segments at 2 distinct periods of diastole. RESULTS: In the patient group, early diastolic strain rate was significantly lower than that in the control group (1.62 ± 0.58 vs. 1.25 ± 0.38, P <.001). There were found to be significant negative connections between PVC's electrocardiographic QRS wave length and early diastolic strain rate and coupling interval and early diastolic strain rate. Significant positive associations between coupling interval and early diastolic strain rate were discovered (P <.001 and P <.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with premature ventricular complex exhibited a lower early diastolic strain rate than healthy individuals. The early diastolic strain rate can be used to predict left ventricle diastolic dysfunction, and persons with premature ventricular complex may have a higher risk of left ventricle diastolic dysfunction than the general population.

Cardiac magnetic resonance T2* mapping in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia is associated with serum ferritin level?

The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19)-related myocardial injury is an increasingly recognized complication and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become the most commonly used non-invasive imaging technique for myocardial involvement. This study aims to assess myocardial structure by T2*-mapping which is a non-invasive gold-standard imaging tool for the assessment of cardiac iron deposition in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia without significant cardiac symptoms. Twenty-five patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and 20 healthy subjects were prospectively enrolled.Cardiac volume and function parameters, myocardial native-T1, and T2*-mapping were measured. The association of serum ferritin level and myocardial mapping was analyzed. There was no difference in terms of cardiac volume and function parameters. The T2*-mapping values were lower in patients with COVID-19 compared to controls (35.37 [IQR 31.67-41.20] ms vs. 43.98 [IQR 41.97-46.88] ms; p < 0.0001), while no significant difference was found in terms of native-T1 mapping value(p = 0.701). There was a positive correlation with T2*mapping and native-T1 mapping values (r = 0.522, p = 0.007) and negative correlation with serum ferritin values (r = - 0.653, p = 0.000), while no correlation between cardiac native-T1 mapping and serum ferritin level. Negative correlation between serum ferritin level and T2*-mapping values in COVID-19 patients may provide a non-contrast-enhanced alternative to assess tissue structural changes in patients with COVID-19. T2*-mapping may provide a non-contrast-enhanced alternative to assess tissue alterations in patients with COVID-19. Adding T2*-mapping cardiac MRI in patients with myocardial pathologies would improve the revealing of underlying mechanisms. Further in vivo and ex vivo animal or human studies designed with larger patient cohorts should be planned.

Pattern of rheumatic heart disease among patients attending at a tertiary care hospital in Somalia: first report from Somalia.

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the leading cause of valvular heart disease in underdeveloped nations. It remains a significant public health issue in Sub-Saharan African countries. This study aimed to determine the pattern, severity, and complications of RHD in Somalia. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of all patients diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease. A total of 8526 echocardiographic examinations were done in our center over a two-year study period from January 2020 to December 2021. Patients with congenital cardiac disease, post-operative cases, myxomatous and old age degenerative disease were all excluded. Of 433 patients, 286 (66.1%) were female, and the mean age was 46.5 ± 20.3. The isolated mitral valve (MV) affected 222 (51.3%). Dual involvement of mitral and aortic valve (AV) was present in 190 (44%). Overall isolated or combined valve involvement, mitral regurgitation (MR) was the most common valve lesion 345 (79.7%), followed by mitral stenosis (MS) 160 (37%). According to the severity of lesions, severe MR was 230 (53.1%) patients, followed by severe MS (n=129, 29.8%). The most common complication of RHD depicted in our study were secondary pulmonary hypertension and enlarged left atrium, 23.8% (n=103) and 19.6% (n=85), respectively. In conclusion, in our study majority of RHD patients were females. Both isolated and in combination, MV was the most commonly affected, and mitral regurgitation was the most common valvular lesion. In our study high percentage of patients already had complications at the time of diagnosis.

Retrospective Analysis of Left Ventricular Thrombus Among Heart Failure Patients with Reduced Ejection Fraction at a Single Tertiary Care Hospital in Somalia.

Introduction: Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) is a common complication in patients with systolic heart failure and can cause thromboembolic consequences including stroke. In order to determine the characteristics of LV thrombus among heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), the present study was undertaken. Methods and Materials: This was retrospective cross-sectional study conducted from referral tertiary hospital in a year period. A total of 810 transthoracic echocardiograms were carried out in our center from January 2021 to December 2021. Forty participants had met the inclusion criteria of the study. Results: About 75% of the population was male and the mean age at diagnosis was 51 years (SD: 15). Ischemic cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP) found to be the most underlying cause of LVT represented (57.5% and 42.5% respectively). Hypertension, hypothyroidism, and atrial fibrillation were found to be the commonest associated risk factors of LVT, 45%, 12.5%, and 30% respectively. Simpson's Biplane's approach yielded a mean LVEF of 25.25 ± 6.97. 60% of the patients had a LVEF of ≤25%. The mean LV end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters were 59.2 ± 9.4 mm and 51 ± 8.3mm respectively. Warfarin was administered to 19 (47.5), Rivaroxaban to 8 (20), and Dabigatran to 10 (25). The most prevalent anticoagulant among the individuals in our study was warfarin. A stroke complication was found in 8 patients (20%), two of them were hemorrhagic stroke and they were on dabigatran. A Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) affected 6 of the patients (15%). One of those with PAD had also ischemic stroke. Conclusion: This study determines that Ischemic and Dilated cardiomyopathy were the most common cause of left ventricular thrombosis among HFrEF patients in Somalia.

Bacterial Infective Endocarditis Associated with Gerbode Ventricular Septal Defect: A Case Report.

A 61-year-old male presented to emergency department with symptoms of shortness of breath, palpitations, and night sweats. We performed bedside transthoracic echocardiography which showed shunt from the left ventricle to the right atrium in systole with color Doppler examination. Gerbode-type ventricular septal defect and an image of a fibrillar, mobile mass compatible with vegetation was observed just above the tricuspid valve. We performed transesophageal echocardiography which showed vegetations on the aortic valve noncoronary cusp. Two sets of blood cultures were positive for Streptococcus sanguinis. The patient was evaluated by the heart team and an operation decision was made for the patient. The patient underwent surgery after 2 weeks of antibiotic theraphy. In the surgery, the Gerbode-type ventricular septal defect was closed with a polytetrafluoroethylene patch. Tricuspid annuloplasty was performed with De Vega technique. Mechanical aortic valve was implanted. Postoperative transthoracic echocardiography showed no residual shunt.

Post-splenectomy native valve endocarditis caused by coagulase negative staphylococci: A rare case report.

Native valve endocarditis caused by coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) were a seldom condition, nevertheless there is an increasing CoNS native valve involvement. Here we present a 43 year old patient who underwent Splenectomy due to abdominal trauma he suffered a month before who encountered mitral valve endocarditis caused by coagulase negative staphylococci.

Prevalence of Thyroid Dysfunction Among Patients with Heart Failure at a Tertiary Hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia.

Introduction: Thyroid disease is an independent predictor of heart failure in patients. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction among patients with heart failure in Mogadishu, Somalia. Methods: From January 2019 to January 2021, a total of 250 patients diagnosed with heart failure admitted to the cardiology outpatient and emergency departments were evaluated retrospectively. The demographic characteristics, the cause of heart failure, and the kind of heart failure were recorded. Patients were categorized into subclinical hypothyroidism, hypothyroidism, low T3 syndrome, subclinical hyperthyroidism, and hyperthyroidism. Results: A total of 250 heart failure patients. The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction among heart failure patients was 35.6%. The mean age of the patients was 59.8±14 years. Males outnumbered females by 159 (63.2%). The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction was 35.6%. Out of the 250 patients that were examined, most of the patients 30(33.3%) had subclinical hypothyroidism. 23 (25.6%) had overt hypothyroidism, 15 (16.7%) had overt hyperthyroidism, 20 (22.2%) had low T3 syndrome, and two cases had subclinical hyperthyroidism. Regarding the gender status of the thyroid dysfunction, 43(48.3%) were male, and 46(51.7%) were female. Regarding heart failure types among thyroid dysfunction patients, most patients were HFrEF (n=64, 71.9%), and 25(28.1%) were HFpEF. Patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) were more likely to have thyroid dysfunction than those with preserved ejection fraction (p = 0.012). Regarding comorbidities among heart failure patients with thyroid dysfunction, approximately half of the patients had hypertension (40.4%). Conclusion: Thyroid problems are one of the most prevalent endocrine abnormalities in our practice. Subclinical hypothyroidism was the most common type of thyroid dysfunction among this population. We suggest that thyroid function be evaluated with cardiac function in patients with heart failure and followed up and treated together with heart failure.

Simultaneous acute cardio-cerebral infarction associated with isolated left ventricle non-compaction cardiomyopathy.

Introduction and importance: The co-occurrence of acute ischemic stroke and acute myocardial ischemia; cardio-cerebral infarction (CCI) has been linked to increased morbidity and mortality. The incidence of these conditions to occur simultaneously has been reported to be less than 1% according to the published data. Left Ventricular Non-Compaction (LVNC), on the other hand, is characterized by large left ventricular (LV) trabeculae, a thin compacted layer, and deep intertrabecular recesses. In the inter-trabecular recesses, where blood flow is slow, cardiac mural thrombi may form, which can lead to systemic embolization. Case presentation: In this report, we describe a 51-year-old male patient with a history of hypertension and diabetes who developed a non-ST segment elevated myocardial infraction and an acute ischemic stroke that were thought to be related to left ventricular hypertrabeculation. Clinical discussion: Although it is rare, the simultaneous occurrence of myocardial infarction and an acute ischemic stroke can be fatal. There are numerous potential mechanisms for CCI, including cardiac thrombi-embolism, hypoperfusion during AMI. Both conditions have a narrow therapeutic window and management is very crucial. Conclusion: To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first reported case of cardiocerebral infraction (CCI) in the setting of non-compaction left ventricle. Early and precise diagnosis is critical to the successful management of these conditions.