The cardiomyopathy of cystic fibrosis: a modern form of Keshan disease.

Introduction: We conducted a study to determine the prevalence of structural heart disease in patients with CF, the characteristics of a cardiomyopathy not previously described in this population, and its possible relationship with nutritional deficiencies in CF. Methods: We studied 3 CMP CF patients referred for heart-lung transplantation and a prospective series of 120 adult CF patients. All patients underwent a clinical examination, blood tests including levels of vitamins and trace elements, and echocardiography with evaluation of myocardial strain. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) was performed in patients with CMP and in a control group. Histopathological study was performed on hearts obtained in transplant or necropsy. Results: We found a prevalence of 10% (CI 4.6%-15.4%) of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in the prospective cohort. Myocardial strain parameters were already altered in CF patients with otherwise normal hearts. Histopathological examination of 4 hearts from CF CMP patients showed a unique histological pattern of multifocal myocardial fibrosis similar to Keshan disease. Four of the five CF CMP patients undergoing CMR showed late gadolinium uptake, with a characteristic patchy pattern in 3 cases (p < 0.001 vs. CF controls). Selenium deficiency (Se < 60 µg/L) was associated with more severe LV dysfunction, higher prevalence of CF CMP, higher NTproBNP levels, and more severe pulmonary and digestive involvement. Conclusion: 10% of adults with CF showed significant cardiac involvement, with histological and imaging features resembling Keshan disease. Selenium deficiency was associated with the presence and severity of LV dysfunction in these patients.

Cardiovascular impact of PM2.5 from the emissions of coal-fired power plants in Spain during 2014. / Impacto cardiovascular del PM2,5 procedente de las emisiones de las centrales térmicas de carbón en España durante el año 2014.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: One of the main sources of energy in Spain is still coal combustion. It releases multiple pollutants into the atmosphere, such as PM2.5, that has been linked to an increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The objectives of this paper are: 1) to determine the national distribution of these particles and their proximity to coal plants, 2) to estimate the cardiovascular impact of PM2.5 particles in Spain in 2014. METHODS: In order to complete the national pollutant dispersion study, we used the CALPUFF model. The epidemiologic and demographic data were obtained from the National Statistics Institute. The associations «pollutant-effect¼ were obtained by internationally validated methodologies. RESULTS: The total number of deaths due to coal pollutants were 709, from which 586 (82.6%) were related to PM2.5 particles. Most of them were due to myocardial infarctions, fatal strokes and heart failure, adding up to 170 cases of mortality related to PM2.5 (29%). The greatest densities were found in the regions of Asturias and Castilla y León. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes an increase in cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in Spain, due to coal combustion pollutants. It finds a greater impact in the provinces of Asturias and Castilla León, where a higher presence of coal power plants can be found. This reflects that the people that live in those areas have a greater risk of cardiovascular death due to PM2.5 pollutant exposure from coal.

Mechanical efficiency of high versus moderate intensity aerobic exercise in coronary heart disease patients: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical efficiency (ME) refers to the ability of an individual to transfer energy consumed by external work. A decreased ME, could represent an increased energy cost during exercise and may, therefore, be limited in terms of physical activity. This study aimed to compare the influence of two different exercise protocols: moderate continuous training (MCT) versus high intensity interval training (HIIT), as part of a cardiac rehabilitation program on ME values among coronary patients. METHODS: One hundred and ten coronary patients were assigned to either HIIT or MCT groups for 8 weeks. Incremental exercise tests in a cycle ergometer were performed to obtain VO2peak. Net energy expenditure (EE) and ME were obtained at intensities corresponding to the first (VT1) and second (VT2) ventilatory thresholds, and at VO2peak. RESULTS: Both exercise programs significantly increase VO2peak with a higher increase in the HIIT group (2.96 ± 2.33 mL/kg/min vs. 3.88 ± 2.40 mL/kg/min, for patients of the MCT and HIIT groups, respectively, p < 0.001). The ME at VO2peak and VT2 only significantly increased in the HIIT group. At VT1, ME significantly increased in both groups, with a greater increase in the HIIT group (2.20 ± ± 6.25% vs. 5.52 ± 5.53%, for patients of the MCT and HIIT groups, respectively, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The application of HIIT to patients with chronic ischemic heart disease of low risk re- sulted in a greater improvement in VO2peak and in ME at VT1, than when MCT was applied. Moreover, only the application of HIIT brought about a significant increase in ME at VT2 and at VO2peak.

Estimulación multipunto mediante captura anódica del ventrículo izquierdo a través de un electrodo cuadripolar: evaluación hemodinámica no invasiva / Multipoint stimulation by means of anodal capture of left ventricle using a quadripolar lead: non-invasive hemodynamic evaluation

Introducción: Un elevado porcentaje de pacientes no responde a la resincronización. La captura anódica izquierda mediante estimulación a alto voltaje, permite una estimulación multipunto que podría aumentar la tasa de respondedores. Objetivo: Evaluar la viabilidad y eficacia hemodinámica aguda de estimulación a alto voltaje mediante el uso del electrodo cuadripolar Quartet 1458Q®. Métodos: Se incluyeron 18 pacientes consecutivos, con electrodo cuadripolar, en quienes se confirmó captura en el modo deseado mediante monitorización electrocardiográfica. Se compararon las diferencias hemodinámicas agudas de captura anódica (electrodos 1-cátodo- y 4-ánodo, máximo voltaje y anchura), biventricular y ventricular derecha. Mediante el Task Force Monitor, se hizo análisis hemodinámico agudo de presión arterial sistólica, diastólica y media, volumen latido e índice, gasto cardiaco e índice. Para cada variable se analizó el valor máximo, mínimo y promedio, durante fases estables de diez minutos. Resultados: Se analizaron 18 pacientes (5 mujeres-27,8%), con edad media de 67,2 anos ˜ (37-81); 33% con fibrilación auricular permanente y 39% con cardiopatía isquémica (sólo 5,6% ambas). La estimulación anódica aumentó significativamente el volumen latido e índice, así como el gasto cardiaco e índice en comparación con el modo biventricular [76,21 vs. 71,04 ml (p = 0,014); 40,67 vs. 37,88 ml/m2 (p = 0,018); 5,29 vs. 4,89 l/min (p = 0,007); 2,86 vs. 2,65 l/min/m2 (p = 0,007), respectivamente]. En el análisis por subgrupos, se concentró el beneficio en los pacientes en ritmo sinusal. Conclusión: La estimulación multipunto mediante captura anódica a través de un electrodo cuadripolar es factible, demostrándose así diferencias significativas en el volumen latido y gasto cardiaco, aunque limitado a la población en ritmo sinusal. © 2015 Sociedad Colombiana de Cardiolog´ia y Cirug´ia Cardiovascular. Publicado por Elsevier Espana, ˜ S.L.U. Este es un art´iculo Open Access bajo la CC BY-NC-ND licencia (http:// creativecommons.org/licencias/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Introduction: A high percentage of patients does not respond to resynchronization. Left anodal capture by means of high-voltage stimulation allows a multipoint stimulation that could increase the responders rate. Objetive: To assess viability and acute hemodynamic effectiveness of high voltage stimulation using the quadripolar lead Quartet 1458Q®. Methods: 18 consecutive patients with quadripolar lead were included. The capture was con- firmed by means of electrocardiographic monitoring. Acute hemodynamic differences of anodal capture were compared (lead 1-cathode and 4-anode, maximum voltage and width), biventricular and right ventricular. Using the Task Force Monitor an acute hemodynamic analysis of systolic, diastolic and average blood pressure, stroke volume and index, cardiac output and index was conducted. For each variable the maximum, minimum and average values were reached during ten minute stable phases. Results: 18 patients (5 women - 27.8%) were analyzed, with an average age of 67.2 years (37- 81); 33% with permanent atrial fibrillation and 39% with ischemic cardiopathology (only 5.6% with both). Anodal stimulation significantly raised the stroke volume and index, as well as the cardiac output and index compared to the biventricular mode [76.21 vs. 71.04 ml (p = 0.014); 40.67 vs. 37.88 ml/m2 (p = 0.018); 5.29 vs. 4.89 l/min (p = 0.007); 2.86 vs. 2.65 l/min/m2 (p = 0.007), respectively]. Subgroup analysis focused on the benefit for patients in sinus rhythm. Conclusion: Multipoint stimulation by means of anodal capture using a quadripolar lead is possible. This further proves significant improvement in the stroke volume and cardiac output, though limited to the population in sinus rhythm. © 2015 Sociedad Colombiana de Cardiolog´ia y Cirug´ia Cardiovascular. Published by Elsevier Espana, ˜ S.L.U. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)..