Occurrence of cardiovascular events in 168 cats with acute urinary tract obstruction.

Background: Cardiovascular dysfunction associated with acute kidney injury has been recently described in veterinary medicine, but limited information is available for cats with urinary tract obstruction (UTO). Objective: This retrospective study aimed to describe the type, frequency, timeline, and risk factors for cardiovascular events (CVEs) in cats treated for acute UTO. Animals and procedures: Medical records of cats admitted to the intensive care unit for either upper (ureteral: UUTO) or lower (urethral: LUTO) UTO from 2016 to 2021 were reviewed. Cardiovascular events were defined as development of arrhythmia, heart murmur or gallop sound, clinical signs consistent with fluid overload (CRFO), or decreased tissue perfusion (DTP). Results: One hundred and sixty-eight cats with UTO were recruited (56 with UUTO and 112 with LUTO). Cardiovascular events were reported in 61.9% of cases, including arrhythmia (33.6%), gallop rhythm (28.1%), heart murmur (15.3%), CRFO (14.4%), and DTP (8.6%). Potassium concentration, preexisting chronic kidney disease, and renal pelvic dilation at abdominal ultrasonography were associated with CVE occurrence in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: This study highlighted frequent CVEs in cats treated for UTO, with a potential strong impact on outcome. Therefore, cardiovascular parameters of cats with preexisting chronic kidney disease or those admitted with hyperkalemia or renal pelvic dilation should be closely monitored.

Survenue d'anomalies cardio-vasculaires chez 168 chats présentés pour obstruction du tractus urinaire. Contexte: Si des anomalies cardiovasculaires secondaires à une insuffisance rénale aigue ont été décrites récemment en médecine vétérinaire, ces données restent limitées concernant les obstructions du tractus urinaire (OTU) chez le chat. Objectif: Décrire le type, la fréquence, le délai d'apparition et les facteurs de risques d'anomalies cardio-vasculaires (ACV) chez des chats hospitalisés pour OTU aigue. Animaux et protocoles: Les dossiers médicaux des chats admis en unité de soins intensifs pour obstruction du tractus urinaire haut ( urétérales-OTUH) et bas (urétrales-OTUB) entre 2016 et 2021 ont été consultés. Les ACV retenus étaient des arythmies cardiaques, le développement de souffles cardiaques et de bruits de galop, les signes relatifs à une surcharge en fluide (SRSF) et de diminution de la perfusion tissulaire (SDPT). Résultats: Cent soixante-huit chats avec des OTU ont été recrutés (56 OTUH, 112 OTUB). Des ACV ont été observés dans 61,9 % des cas, incluant des arythmies (33,6 %), l'apparition de bruits de galop (28,1 %) et de souffles cardiaques (15,3 %), des SRSF (14,4 %) et des SDPT (8,6 %). La concentration plasmatique en potassium, la présence d'une MRC sous-jacente et d'une dilatation pyélique à l'échographie abdominale ont été associées à la présence d'ACV par l'analyse multivariée. Conclusions: Cette étude montre que les ACV surviennent fréquemment chez les chats présentés pour OTU, et suggère un impact sur la survie de ces animaux. Les animaux avec un historique de MRC, ceux présentés avec une hyperkaliémie et/ou avec une dilatation pyélique à l'échographie abdominale devraient être surveillés avec plus de précautions que les autres.(Traduit per les auteurs).

Value of Autostrain LV in the study of left ventricular systolic function and synchronization in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: There are relatively few studies investigating cardiac structural and functional abnormalities associated with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). The long-term prognosis of SLE patients is closely related to the cardiovascular events caused by SLE. Accordingly, it is necessary to assess early myocardial systolic function and synchrony. METHODS: Overall, 90 patients with SLE were randomly selected from our outpatient and inpatient clinics and divided according to SLE Disease Activity Index (SLE-DAI-2000) scores: group A, stable (scores 0-4); group B, mildly active stage (scores 5-9); and group C, moderately active stage (scores ≥10). Each group included 30 patients. Further, 30 sex- and age-matched healthy individuals who were referred for check-ups at the same period were selected as controls (group D). The minimum age for entry into the group was 17 years old. Autostrain LV and three-dimensional quantitative analysis (3DQA) were applied to obtain left ventricular systolic function parameters, information on strain parameters, and correlations between parameters. Simultaneity parameters measured by Autostrain LV and 3DQA were tested for reproducibility. RESULTS: A two-by-two comparison of groups A-C showed that as the disease activity score increased, AP4LS%, AP2LS%, AP3LS%, and the LV mean overall longitudinal strain all gradually decreased, while LV longitudinal strain peak time standard deviation (Tls-SD) gradually increased, with all differences being statistically significant (p < .05). In groups A-C compared with controls, Tmsv-17-SD, Tmsv-17-Dif, Tmsv-17-SD%, and Tmsv-17-Dif% were all significantly prolonged (p < .05). Further, Tls-SD was positively correlated with Tmsv-17-SD and Tmsv-17-Dif, and there was good agreement between Autostrain and 3DQA for the measurement of left ventricular synchrony indexes, with Tmsv-17-Dif having the best repeatability (intraobserver interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = .979; interobserver ICC = .848, p < .01). CONCLUSION: Autostrain LV can accurately detect changes in left ventricular myocardial strain in patients with SLE early in the disease, with simple operation. The 3DQA technique can quantitatively evaluate left ventricular systolic synchronization in patients with SLE, and Autostrain LV synchronization index measurements correlate significantly with 3DQA. Both methods are reproducible, but 3DQA is more sensitive to left ventricular synchronous motion changes.

Full and simplified assessment of left ventricular diastolic function in covid-19 patients admitted to ICU: Feasibility, incidence, and association with mortality.

PURPOSE: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is associated with poor outcomes in the intensive care unit (ICU). Nonetheless, precise reporting of LVDD in COVID-19 patients is currently lacking and assessment could be challenging. METHODS: We performed an echocardiography study in COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU with the aim to describe the feasibility of full or simplified LVDD assessment and its incidence. We also evaluated the association of LVDD or of single echocardiographic parameters with hospital mortality. RESULTS: Between 06.10.2020 and 18.02.2021, full diastolic assessment was feasible in 74% (n = 26/35) of patients receiving a full echocardiogram study. LVDD incidence was 46% (n = 12/26), while the simplified assessment produced different results (incidence 81%, n = 21/26). Nine patients with normal function on full assessment had LVDD with simplified criteria (grade I = 2; grade II = 3; grade III = 4). Nine patients were hospital-survivors (39%); the incidence of LVDD (full assessment) was not different between survivors (n = 2/9, 22%) and non-survivors (n = 10/17, 59%; p = .11). The E/e' ratio lateral was lower in survivors (7.4 [3.6] vs. non-survivors 10.5 [6.3], p = .03). We also found that s' wave was higher in survivors (average, p = .01). CONCLUSION: In a small single-center study, assessment of LVDD according to the latest guidelines was feasible in three quarters of COVID-19 patients. Non-survivors showed a trend toward greater LVDD incidence; moreover, they had significantly worse s' values (all) and higher E/e' ratio (lateral).

Postsystolic shortening and early systolic lengthening for early detection of myocardial involvement in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac involvement predicts a poor prognosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) are used to identify subclinical myocardial involvement in various diseases. This study objected to evaluate postsystolic shortening (PSS) and early systolic lengthening (ESL) by 2D-STE for early detection of myocardial involvement in patients with SLE. METHODS: A total of 121 patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in SLE and 30 healthy controls underwent standard 2D-STE in our study. According to SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI), we divided SLE patients into two groups: the group of inactive disease (SLEDAI ≤ 4) and active disease (SLEDAI ≥ 5). The maximum of postsystolic strain index (PSImax ) and early systolic strain index (ESImax ) were acquired from 17 segments of left ventricular (LV). We also compared the PSImax and ESImax of basal, medial, and apical segments between SLE patients and controls. RESULTS: Compared with healthy controls and the group of SLEDAI ≤ 4, the group of SLEDAI ≥ 5 had higher PSImax and ESImax value of global LV and basal segments. The absolute value of global longitudinal strain (GLS) had no difference between the group of active disease and inactive disease. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that PSS was independently associated with SLEDAI and diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSIONS: Detection of PSS and ESL enable to identify LV systolic impairment in SLE patients at an early stage.

Direct insertion of papillary muscle into mitral valve leaflets in a healthy patient without hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

We present the case of a healthy young woman that was evaluated before participation in amateur sports. A systolic and diastolic murmur was heard during the physical examination. Two-dimensional echocardiography was performed, and a direct insertion of the posteromedial papillary muscle into the mitral valve leaflets was found. Mild mitral stenosis and moderate regurgitation were also found. Because she was asymptomatic, a follow-up in 6 months was planned to control the evaluation of her valve disease.

A Comparison of Electronic and Traditional Stethoscopes in the Heart Auscultation of Obese Patients.

Background and objectives: As the prevalence of obesity is increasing in a population, diagnostics becomes more problematic. Our aim was to compare the 3M Littmann 3200 Electronic Stethoscope and 3M Littman Cardiology III Mechanical Stethoscope in the auscultation of obese patients. Methods. A total of 30 patients with body mass index >30 kg/m² were auscultated by a cardiologist and a resident physician: 15 patients by one cardiologist and one resident and 15 patients by another cardiologist and resident using both stethoscopes. In total, 960 auscultation data points were verified by an echocardiogram. Sensitivity and specificity data were calculated. Results. Sensitivity for regurgitation with valves combined was higher when the electronic stethoscope was used by the cardiologist (60.0% vs. 40.9%, p = 0.0002) and the resident physician (62.1% vs. 51.5%, p = 0.016); this was also the same when stenoses were added (59.4% vs. 40.6%, p = 0.0002, and 60.9% vs. 50.7%, p = 0.016, respectively). For any lesion, there were no significant differences in specificity between the electronic and acoustic stethoscopes for the cardiologist (92.4% vs. 94.2%) and the resident physician (93.6% vs. 94.7%). The detailed analysis by valve showed one significant difference in regurgitation at the mitral valve for the cardiologist (80.0% vs. 56.0%, p = 0.031). No significant difference in specificity between the stethoscopes was found when all lesions, valves and both physicians were combined (93.0% vs. 94.4%, p = 0.30), but the electronic stethoscope had higher sensitivity than the acoustic (60.1% vs. 45.7%, p < 0.0001). The analysis when severity of the abnormality was considered confirmed these results. Conclusions. There is an indication of increased sensitivity using the electronic stethoscope. Specificity was high using the electronic and acoustic stethoscope.

Clinical Presentation and Multi-Parametric Screening Surrogates of Ischemic Stroke Patients Suffering from Infective Endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis (IE) represents a life-threatening condition due to complications like cardiac failure and thromboembolism. In ischemic stroke, IE formally excludes patients from approaches addressing the recanalization of occluded vessels, challenging decision-making in the early phase of hospitalization. This study aimed at the rate and clinical course of stroke patients with IE and explored clinical, imaging-based and serum parameters, which would allow early identification. METHODS: A hospital-based registry containing 1,531 ischemic stroke patients was screened for IE identified by echocardiography. In addition to clinical parameters, patterns of cerebral manifestation as well as a variety of inflammatory serum and myocardial markers were analyzed concerning their predictive impact for identifying affected patients. RESULTS: IE was found in 26 patients (1.7%) and was associated with an increased body temperature and cardiac murmurs. Patients suffering from IE demonstrated a more severe clinical affection at hospital discharge and an impaired symptom decline during hospitalization, further deteriorated by the use of systemic thrombolysis. Distribution of cerebral infarction patterns did not differ between the groups. C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocyte count as well as troponin and myoglobin, taken at hospital admission, were found to be significantly associated with IE. CONCLUSIONS: IE in stroke patients is associated with worse clinical outcome, complicated by intravenously applied thrombolysis, and therefore needs to be screened during the early phase of hospitalization. Increased serum levels of CRP and leukocyte count in combination with an increased body temperature or abnormal cardiac murmurs should entail rapid initiation of further diagnostics, that is, transoesophageal echocardiography.

[Establishment and evaluation of a prognostic model for acute pulmonary embolism].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the factors influencing the prognosis of patients with acute pulmonary embolism(PE) and to establish a prognostic model. METHODS: The clinical data of 331 patients (141 males and 190 females, aged 9 to 87 years ) with acute PE in Fujian Hospital from January 2007 to September 2013 were analyzed. Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were used for selecting the independent prognostic factors for acute PE. Based on logistic regression analysis, a prognostic model for PE was established. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that statistically significant (all P<0.05) factors influencing the prognosis of PE were diabetes, tricuspid systolic murmur, body temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, aspartate aminotransferase, triglycerides, abnormal ECG, mechanical ventilation, circulatory failure during hospitalization, risk stratification of PE, types of treatment, and use of low-molecular-weight heparin and Warfarin. Logistic regression analysis showed that recent (<1 month) operation or fracture, tricuspid systolic murmur, high triglyceride level, circulatory failure during hospitalization and mechanical ventilation were independent factors for poor prognosis of PE, while combined use of low-molecular-weight heparin and Warfarin was a protective factor for the prognosis of PE. The Fisher prognostic model equation was y=0.144+ 1.266x1+ 0.869x2+ 1.794x3-0.517x4+ 3.555x5+ 0.661x6. The accuracy of the Fisher discriminant function was 93.0%. CONCLUSION: Recent (<1 month) operation or fracture, tricuspid systolic murmur, high triglyceride level, shock during hospitalization and mechanical ventilation were signs of poor prognosis for PE, while combined use of low-molecular-weight heparin and Warfarin were beneficial for the prognosis. The discriminant function based on these data can be helpful for predicting the prognosis of patients with PE.

[Rheumatic cardiopathies and its risk factors: about 50 cases]. / Les complications cardiaques du rhumatisme articulaire aigu et ses facteurs de risque : étude de 50 observations.

INTRODUCTION: Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a multi-systemic disease, in which cardiac involvement is the most serious major manifestation of disease. The aim of this study was to analyse cardiac involvement in children with ARF and his risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It were a retrospective study including all children under the age of 14 years who were hospitalized for ARF in the pediatric department of the CHU Hédi Chaker of Sfax, during a period of twelve years (2010-2022). RESULTS: We collected 50 cases (31 boys and 19 girls). Twenty-two patients (44%) developed cardiac lesions. The mean age at diagnosis was 9.6 years [5-14 years]. A pathological heart murmur was detected in 14 cases (n = 14/22) was classified as mild carditis in 15 cases, moderate carditis in 5 cases and severe in 2 cases. The median follow-up time was 3,3 years. Nineteen patients developed valvular sequelae Risk factors of cardiac lesions was: age more than 8 years, heart murmur, allonged PR, CRP > 100 mg/l and VS > 100 mm. CONCLUSION: CR is still a public health problem in Tunisia. It is a serious pathology that can cause serious increases in morbidity rates. Thus, we must strengthen preventive strategies.

Internalizing symptoms and functional disability in children with noncardiac chest pain and innocent heart murmurs.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the occurrence of internalizing symptoms and functional disability in children with noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) compared with children with innocent heart murmurs (IHMs). METHOD: 67 children with NCCP (M [SD] age = 12.61 [2.63]; 68.7% Caucasian) and 62 children with IHM (M [SD] age = 12.67 [2.62]; 50% Caucasian) were recruited from pediatric cardiology offices. Children and parents completed measures of psychological functioning and functional disability during a first visit to the cardiologist before diagnosis. RESULTS: Children with NCCP reported greater levels of anxiety, depression, and anxiety sensitivity than children with IHM. Children with NCCP and their parents reported greater levels of functional disability and somatization than children with IHM and their parents. CONCLUSION: Children with NCCP experience greater levels of psychosocial distress and impairment than similarly physically healthy children with IHM. Consideration of psychosocial influences on NCCP would likely be beneficial in aiding assessment and treatment.

A comparison of clinical practice guidelines for proximal femoral fracture.

Clinical practice guidelines are designed to assist clinical decision-making by summarising evidence and forming recommendations. The number of available guidelines is vast and they vary in relevance and quality. We reviewed guidelines relevant to the management of a patient with a fractured neck of femur and explored similarities and conflicts between recommendations. As guidelines are often produced in response to an area of clinical uncertainty, recommendations differ. This can result in a situation where the management of a particular clinical problem will depend upon which guideline is followed. We explore the reasons for such differences.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is increased in dogs with acute congestive heart failure secondary to myxomatous mitral valve disease compared to both dogs with heart murmurs and healthy controls.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively evaluate neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) as a biomarker for severity and short-term outcomes of congestive heart failure (CHF) secondary to myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) in dogs. ANIMALS: 47 dogs with CHF secondary to MMVD, 47 dogs with presumptive preclinical MMVD, and 47 control dogs. METHODS: Medical record data (signalment, physical examination findings, medical treatments instituted, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine MMVD stage, length of hospitalization, outcome, and hospital re-presentation due to CHF) from March 2012 through March 2022 for each dog were collected. Statistical analyses were performed with Mann-Whitney, Spearman correlation, and Fisher exact tests. RESULTS: NLR (but not PLR) was significantly higher in dogs with CHF secondary to MMVD (6.41) compared to presumptive preclinical MMVD dogs (4.66; P < .001) and control dogs (3.95; P < .001). Dogs with higher NLR and PLR received significantly higher cumulative dosages of loop-diuretic therapy during hospitalization (ρ = 0.3, P = .04; and ρ = 0.4, P = .02, respectively). There was a positive association between NLR and duration of oxygen supplementation within the CHF group (ρ = 0.4; P = .01). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The increased diuretic dose and time receiving oxygen supplementation may represent increased disease severity for which NLR (and to a lesser extent PLR) may serve as a readily available marker. The data presented provide information regarding some of the systemic inflammatory changes seen in CHF secondary to MMVD in dogs. Future research should include prospective, longitudinal studies to provide insight into the long-term prognostic value of NLR and PLR in dogs with CHF.

Prevalence of validated risk factors for developing atrial fibrillation--can we identify high-risk ED patients?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether emergency department (ED) patients who were newly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF) displayed risk factors for incident AF on prior ED visits. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a retrospective cohort study of ED patients with symptomatic AF at a tertiary referral center. We selected patients who were newly diagnosed with AF between July 1, 2005, and August 31, 2008, and had at least 1 ED visit before their diagnosis. We calculated the Framingham Heart Study AF risk score for each visit by documenting the presence of the risk factors (age, sex, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, hypertension treatment, PR interval, and ages of clinically significant cardiac murmur and heart failure diagnosis). RESULTS: Of the 296 patients newly diagnosed with AF, 115 (39%) had at least 1 prior ED visit resulting in 454 ED visits for analysis. The median time from first to last visit was 4 years (interquartile range [IQR], 2.1-5.9). The median age was 66 years (IQR, 49-79 years). Home medications included antihypertensives in 81% of visits, and 60% of visits with available electrocardiograms had a PR interval of 160 milliseconds or more. Heart failure history was reported in 23% of visits. The median AF risk score was 8 (IQR, 4-10) corresponding to a 16% 10-year predicted risk. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly 40% of patients diagnosed with new AF had previous ED visits and displayed validated risk factors for incident AF. The ED provides an opportunity to identify and educate these patients as well as refer them for primary prevention interventions.

A Case of Ruptured Giant Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm Into the Right Ventricle in a Patient With Both Atrial and Ventricular Septal Defects.

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SOVA) is a rare cardiac defect. In most cases, SOVA presents as an incidental finding during cardiac imaging. A dreadful complication of SOVA is spontaneous rupture, most commonly occurring into the right side of the heart resulting in an abrupt or insidiously progressive congestive heart failure. Ruptured SOVA is associated with poor prognosis with high mortality unless timely surgical intervention is deemed. We present a 23-year-old female who presented with a continuous heart murmur and exertional dyspnea. Transesophageal echocardiogram showed a ruptured 1.8 cm sinus of Valsalva aneurysm of the non-coronary cusp to the right ventricle, which resulted in a significant left-to-right shunt and pulmonary hypertension. Associated cardiac defects included ostium secundum atrial septal defect, peri-membranous ventricular septal defect, and moderate aortic and mitral valve insufficiency. The patient underwent successful surgical correction with significant resolution of the shunt and normalization of the pulmonary pressure. Despite being rare, SOVA can rupture spontaneously, resulting in decompensated heart failure. SOVA should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a continuous heart murmur. Early recognition and timely surgical intervention are pivotal in these cases to prevent further clinical deterioration or even death. LEARNING POINTS: Sinus of Valsalva aneurysms (SOVA) are usually silent until acute rupture. Rupture most commonly occurs into either the right ventricle or right atrium. A new continuous murmur is the most striking physical finding; it is always significant and must prompt urgent echocardiography to facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment. Ruptured SOVA has a poor prognosis with high mortality unless timely surgical intervention is deemed.

Surgical treatment for anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery: a case report with five-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ARCAPA) is a rare congenital heart disease affecting about 0.002% of the population. Knowledge of ARCAPA is almost collected from case reports. The aim of this study was to provide a rare case to better understand this rare congenital coronary anomaly. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a rare case of an 18-year-old male who was initially referred because of heart murmur. Dilated and tortuous coronary arteries were detected by echocardiography and congenital coronary anomaly was suggested. Further coronary CT angiography confirmed the diagnosis of ARCAPA. Although dual coronary system provides favorable long-term outcome, bypass surgery was considered technically difficult due to the huge mismatch of caliber between the right coronary artery and graft vessels. Eventually, simple right coronary artery ligation was performed. The patient was followed up for about 5 years without evidence of atherosclerosis or myocardial ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: ARCAPA presents as a rare congenital heart disease with variable clinical manifestations. Surgical treatment is highly recommended to re-establish dual coronary system and prevent further complications. To our best knowledge, only about 200 cases of ARCAPA has been reported.

Left ventricular stiffness assessed by diastolic Wall strain predicts asymptomatic atrial high-rate episodes in patients with pacemaker implantation.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac implantable electronic device-detected atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs) have been reported to be associated with thromboembolic risks. The present study aimed to investigate the association of echocardiographic and clinical parameters with the occurrence of AHREs in patients with a dual-chamber pacemaker (PMI). METHODS: One hundred forty-seven patients (76 males, 75.2 ± 8.9 years) who did not show atrial tachyarrhythmia before the implantation of the PMI were studied. Diastolic wall strain (DWS) and other measurements were assessed during sinus rhythm using transthoracic echocardiography before the PMI. DWS was calculated from the M-mode echocardiographic measurement of the left ventricular (LV) posterior wall thickness at end-systole (PWs) and end-diastole (PWd), and DWS was defined as (PWs-PWd) / PWs. RESULTS: AHREs (defined as AHREs duration >6 min and atrial rate >180 bpm) were detected in 50 / 147 patients during follow up (38.3 ± 13.8 months). Patients in the AHREs group had reduced DWS (0.29 ± 0.07 vs. 0.39 ± 0.06, p < 0.0001), larger left atrial volume index, thicker LV posterior diameter, higher rate of patients taking ß-blocker / diuretics, and higher prevalence of sinus node dysfunction. On multivariable analysis, only DWS was independently associated with AHREs. Patients with reduced DWS (<0.33) had a higher risk of incidences of AHREs. CONCLUSION: LV stiffness assessed by DWS was associated with AHREs in patients with a PMI.

Development of a risk score for atrial fibrillation (Framingham Heart Study): a community-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation contributes to substantial increases in morbidity and mortality. We aimed to develop a risk score to predict individuals' absolute risk of developing the condition, and to provide a framework for researchers to assess new risk markers. METHODS: We assessed 4764 participants in the Framingham Heart Study from 8044 examinations (55% women, 45-95 years of age) undertaken between June, 1968, and September, 1987. Thereafter, participants were monitored for the first event of atrial fibrillation for a maximum of 10 years. Multivariable Cox regression identified clinical risk factors associated with development of atrial fibrillation in 10 years. Secondary analyses incorporated routine echocardiographic measurements (5152 participants, 7156 examinations) to reclassify the risk of atrial fibrillation and to assess whether these measurements improved risk prediction. FINDINGS: 457 (10%) of the 4764 participants developed atrial fibrillation. Age, sex, body-mass index, systolic blood pressure, treatment for hypertension, PR interval, clinically significant cardiac murmur, and heart failure were associated with atrial fibrillation and incorporated in a risk score (p<0.05, except body-mass index p=0.08), clinical model C statistic 0.78 (95% CI 0.76-0.80). Risk of atrial fibrillation in 10 years varied with age: more than 15% risk was recorded in 53 (1%) participants younger than 65 years, compared with 783 (27%) older than 65 years. Additional incorporation of echocardiographic measurements to enhance the risk prediction model only slightly improved the C statistic from 0.78 (95% CI 0.75-0.80) to 0.79 (0.77-0.82), p=0.005. Echocardiographic measurements did not improve risk reclassification (p=0.18). INTERPRETATION: From clinical factors readily accessible in primary care, our risk score could help to identify risk of atrial fibrillation for individuals in the community, assess technologies or markers for improvement of risk prediction, and target high-risk individuals for preventive measures.

Emergency caesarean section of a patient with eisenmenger's syndrome: A tight-rope walk.

Successful management of a pregnant patient with complex congenital heart disease is a challenge for anesthesiologists, requiring thorough knowledge of the impact of pregnancy on the cardiac lesion. Hearing and speech impaired patients pose a barrier to effective communication between the patient and the doctors, thus increasing the anxiety and risk of complications. Here, we present a case of a hearing and speech impaired woman with the rare and dangerous Eisenmenger's syndrome, presenting for an emergency cesarean section (CS).

Grisel syndrome, sigmoid sinus thrombosis and rheumatic carditis: Case report of a rare association.

Grisel's syndrome (GS) is a non traumatic atlanto-axial rotatory subluxation of C1-C2 joint. A six year old girl, 20 days after an episode of fever, developed a torticollis and a 3/6 heart murmur. The echocardiography showed a Rheumatic Carditis. The Brain and cervical spine Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the Computerized Tomography (CT) showed rotary dislocation of C1-C2 vertebrae, compatible with GS, and cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). An antibiotic therapy, Prednisone and a low molecular weight heparin for 7 days was prescribedfollowed by an oral anticoagulant for 6 months. After a month the MRI showed a reduction of the dislocation and cerebral venous recanalization.