Cardiac imaging in cardiotoxicity: a focus on clinical practice.

Cancer therapeutics induced cardiotoxicity has emerged as an important factor of long-term adverse cardiovascular outcomes in survivors of various malignant diseases. Early detection of myocardial injury in the setting of cancer treatment is important for the initiation of targeted cardioprotective therapy, in order to prevent irreversible cardiac dysfunction and heart failure, while not withholding a potentially life-saving cancer therapy. Cardiac imaging techniques including echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance, and nuclear cardiac imaging are the main tools for the identification of cardiotoxicity. There is also growing evidence for the detection of subclinical cardiac dysfunction in cancer patients by speckle tracking echocardiography. In this review article, we focus on current and emerging data regarding the role of cardiac imaging for the detection of changes in myocardial function related with cancer treatment in clinical practice.

Rapid normalization of vasculitis-induced left ventricular dysfunction related with multiple cardiac thrombi.

We present a young female patient admitted in the emergency department with pulmonary edema, severely impaired left ventricular function, and simultaneous intracardiac thrombi in left and right ventricle as well as in right atrium, at echocardiography. A magnetic resonance tomography showed excess myocardial tissue edema and diffuse gadolinium enhancement. Blood analysis showed an elevated eosinophils count. The patient showed a rapid normalization of left ventricular function as well as resolution of intracardiac thrombi and myocardial tissue edema 3 months after proper treatment with cyclophosphamide and steroids for Churg-Strauss syndrome.

A case-control validation of Type D personality in Greek patients with stable coronary heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Type D personality has been associated with a variety of emotional and social difficulties as well as with poor prognosis in patients with established coronary heart disease (CHD). We examined the psychometric properties and validity of the Type D Scale-14 (DS14) and the prevalence of Type D personality among Greek patients with CHD while taking into account demographic; clinical, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia; as well as psychological variables such as depression, anxiety, and psychological stress. METHODS: Ninety-six patients with stable coronary heart disease and 80 healthy participants from the general population completed the Greek version of the DS14 and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). RESULTS: Cronbach's α coefficient for the negative affectivity (NA) and social inhibition (SI) subscales was 0.83 and 0.72 for the CHD and 0.88 and 0.76 for the control group, respectively. Internal-structural validity was assessed by a factor analysis (two-factor solution), and the factor structure of the original DS14 was replicated. Using the standardized cutoff point of NA ≥10 and SI ≥10, instead of the median scores, in order to have compatible results with the majority of studies, the prevalence of Type D personality was 51% for the CHD patients and 13% for the control group. Higher NA and SI were connected with higher anxiety, depression, and total psychological stress. Finally, more patients with CHD and Type D personality than those without were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes; however, no differences were observed in hypertension or hypercholesterolemia. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the Type D construct is reliable and valid in a Greek population. The prevalence of Type D personality was higher in patients with stable coronary heart disease than in people from the general population. The DS14 subscales were positively correlated with higher anxiety, depression, and total psychological stress. Regarding other CHD risk factors, only diabetes mellitus was found more frequently in CHD patients with Type D personality.

Microcirculatory vascular dysfunction in HIV-1 infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether HIV-1 infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and HIV-1 infected patients who had never received HAART had differences in their vascular microcirculatory function. METHODS: We assessed the forearm blood flow before and after four minutes of ischemic occlusion of the brachial artery using venous occlusion strain gauge plethysmography. The hyperaemic forearm blood flow was recorded for three minutes at 15 second intervals. We calculated the maximal percent increase of the forearm blood flow during hyperemia. Forty HIV-infected male patients receiving HAART were compared to 20 age- and BMI- matched, male HIV-infected patients who had never received HAART (control group). RESULTS: Patients on HAART had similar baseline forearm blood flow but lower maximal and percentage (%) change in forearm blood flow than control patients (4.2 +/- 1.7 vs. 4.1 +/- 1.7 l/ 100mL/min P = 0.8, 32 +/- 11.2 vs. 38.9 +/- 10.5 l/100 mL/min. P = 0.04 and 714 +/- 255 vs. 907 +/- 325%, P = 0.01, respectively). Patients receiving HAART had higher cholesterol than control patients (221 +/- 58 vs. 163 +/- 38 mg/dL, P = 0.001). HAART was associated with the percentage change in the blood flow during hyperemia (coefficient regression B = -0.32, P = 0.02) after adjustment for age, cholesterol and viral load. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-infected patients receiving HAART present abnormalities of arterial microcirculation in comparison with never-treated patients.

Surgical resection of a cardiac lipoma of the right ventricle.

Cardiac lipomas are rare, benign, encapsulated tumors which predominantly appear outside of the heart and less frequently inside the cardiac chambers. We describe a case of a right ventricular cardiac lipoma in a 72-year-old female patient who presented with palpitations. Surgical considerations, diagnostic modalities, and up-to-date literature are also presented and discussed.

HIV-positive patients treated with protease inhibitors have vascular changes resembling those observed in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

A metabolic syndrome associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease has been described in HIV-positive individuals. In the present study we investigated whether HIV-positive individuals and CAD (coronary artery disease) patients have similarities in their vascular function and structure. In a case-control study, we compared measurements of carotid artery IMT (intima-media thickness) and brachial artery FMD (flow-mediated vasodilation) in HIV-positive individuals with age- and sex-matched controls with similar risk factors and patients with established CAD. Seventy-one HIV patients, age 42+/-13.9 years (91% male), were compared with 29 CAD patients and 25 controls. HIV patients had higher IMT than controls and similar IMT to CAD patients (0.64+/-0.2 compared with 0.55+/-0.05 and 0.66+/-0.08 mm respectively; F=4.2, P=0.01). Patients taking protease inhibitors had higher IMT (0.69+/-0.2 compared with 0.57+/-0.15 mm; P=0.01), blood pressure, cholesterol and triacylglycerols than those not taking protease inhibtors (P<0.05). In multiple regression analyses, increasing blood pressure (beta: 0.37, P=0.001), glucose (beta: 0.26, P=0.016), cholesterol (beta: 0.24, P=0.033), duration of HIV disease (beta: 0.33, P=0.008) and use of protease inhibitors (beta: 0.27, P=0.04) were the most important determinants of IMT respectively. FMD was associated only with triacylglycerol measurements. Patients with HIV present arterial changes resembling those found in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. These vascular changes are closely related to protease-inhibitor-induced changes of metabolic parameters. Thus intensive treatment of these metabolic parameters might retard atherosclerosis in HIV patients.

Thromboembolism Prevention via Transcatheter Left Atrial Appendage Closure with Transeosophageal Echocardiography Guidance.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an independent risk factor for stroke. Anticoagulation therapy has a risk of intracerebral hemorrhage. The use of percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) closure devices is an alternative to anticoagulation therapy. Echocardiography has a leading role in LAA closure procedure in patient selection, during the procedure and during followup. A comprehensive echocardiography study is necessary preprocedural in order to identify all the lobes of the LAA, evaluate the size of the LAA ostium, look for thrombus or spontaneous echo contrast, and evaluate atrial anatomy, including atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale. Echocardiography is used to identify potential cardiac sources of embolism, such as atrial septal aneurysm, mitral valve disease, and aortic debris. During the LAA occlusion procedure transeosophageal echocardiography provides guidance for the transeptal puncture and monitoring during the release of the closure device. Procedure-related complications can be evaluated and acceptable device release criteria such as proper position and seating of the occluder in the LAA, compression, and stability can be assessed. Postprocedural echocardiography is used for followup to assess the closure of the LAA ostium. This overview paper describes the emerging role of LAA occlusion procedure with transeosophageal echocardiography guidance as an alternative to anticoagulation therapy in patients with AF.

Chest pain due to hiatal hernia mimicking as cardiac mass.

Based on a case of suspected ischemic heart disease we review hiatal hernia causing chest pain. Rest echocardiography images were suggestive of cardiac mass in the left atrium. Dobutamine stress echocardiogram was negative for inducible ischemia. Multi-slice computed tomography of the chest was performed showing that a large hiatal hernia was present compressing on the left atrium. Multimodality imaging is necessary for suspected mass compressing the heart, causing chest discomfort.

The prominent role of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in coronary artery disease.

The role of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in coronary artery disease is prominent. CMR provides functional and structural heart disease assessment with high accuracy. It allows accurate cardiac volume and flow quantification and wall motion analysis both at rest and at stress. CMR myocardial perfusion studies detect myocardial ischemia and provide insights into the morphology of the myocardial tissue. CMR imaging noninvasively differentiates causes of myocardial injury such as ischemia or inflammation; stages of myocardial injury, such as acute or chronic; grade of myocardial damage, such as reversible or irreversible; myocardial fibrosis or scar. There is an emerging role of CMR in patients with acute chest presentation since it can demonstrate causes of chest pain other than coronary artery disease such as myocarditis, pericarditis, aortic dissection and pulmonary embolism. CMR is noninvasive and radiation-free. It's combined approach of functional and structural cardiac assessment makes it unique compared with other imaging modalities.

Multimodality imaging of aortitis.

Multimodality imaging of aortitis is useful for identification of acute and chronic mural changes due to inflammation, edema, and fibrosis, as well as characterization of structural luminal changes including aneurysm and stenosis or occlusion. Identification of related complications such as dissection, hematoma, ulceration, rupture, and thrombosis is also important. Imaging is often vital for obtaining specific diagnoses (i.e., Takayasu arteritis) or is used adjunctively in atypical cases (i.e., giant cell arteritis). The extent of disease is established at baseline, with associated therapeutic and prognostic implications. Imaging of aortitis may be useful for screening, routine follow up, and evaluation of treatment response in certain clinical settings. Localization of disease activity and structural abnormality is useful for guiding biopsy or surgical revascularization or repair. In this review, we discuss the available imaging modalities for diagnosis and management of the spectrum of aortitis disorders that cardiovascular physicians should be familiar with for facilitating optimal patient care.

The pathophysiology of HIV-/HAART-related metabolic syndrome leading to cardiovascular disorders: the emerging role of adipokines.

Individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) frequently demonstrate metabolic syndrome (MS) associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular disorders. Characteristics of HIV infection, such as immunodeficiency, viral load, and duration of the disease, in addition to the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) have been suggested to induce MS in these patients. It is well documented that MS involves a number of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, like glucose, lipids, and arterial blood pressure abnormalities, leading to extensive atherogenic arterial wall changes. Nevertheless, the above traditional cardiovascular risk factors merely explain the exacerbated cardiovascular risk in MS. Nowadays, the adipose-tissue derivatives, known as adipokines, have been suggested to contribute to chronic inflammation and the MS-related cardiovascular disease. In view of a novel understanding on how adipokines affect the pathogenesis of HIV/HAART-related MS and cardiovascular complications, this paper focuses on the interaction of the metabolic pathways and the potential cardiovascular consequences. Based on the current literature, we suggest adipokines to have a role in the pathogenesis of the HIV/HAART-related MS. It is crucial to understand the pathophysiology of the HIV/HAART-related MS and apply therapeutic strategies in order to reduce cardiovascular risk in HIV patients.

Treating depression in coronary artery disease and chronic heart failure: what's new in using selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors?

Depression is a common co-morbidity in patients with cardiovascular diseases such as chronic coronary artery disease, acute coronary syndromes, post by-pass surgery and chronic heart failure. The presence of depression is independently associated with a decline in health status and an increase in the risk of hospitalization and death for patients with coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure. Novel treatment modalities such as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may improve depressive symptoms and prognosis of post-myocardial infarction and heart failure patients interacting with the common pathophysiological mechanisms of depression and cardiovascular disease. This review summarizes current experimental and clinical evidence regarding the effects of SSRIs on platelet functions, immune and neurohormonal activation, and cardiac rhythm disturbances in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Association of highly active antiretroviral therapy with increased arterial stiffness in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic disorders associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease have been described in "HIV-infected" individuals. We investigated (i) whether normotensive "HIV-infected" individuals and hypertensive patients have similarities regarding their arterial elastic properties and (ii) the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and metabolic factors on arterial stiffness. METHODS: In a case-control study, we compared measurements of pulse wave velocity (PWV), arterial blood pressure, and markers of metabolic profile in 56 normotensive, "HIV-infected" patients (mean age 40 +/- 13 years) to 28 age- and sex-matched newly diagnosed untreated patients with hypertension and 28 healthy individuals. RESULTS: "HIV-infected" patients had higher PWV than healthy controls but lower PWV than hypertensives (8.1 +/- 1.4 m/s vs. 6.7 +/- 1.1 m/s vs. 9.0 +/- 1.0 m/s, P = 0.003 and 0.01, respectively). However, patients on HAART had similar PWV with hypertensives (8.4 +/- 1.4 vs. 9.0 +/- 1.0 m/s P = 0.25). Patients on HAART had higher PWV than patients without (8.4 +/- 1.4 m/s vs. 7.5 +/- 1.3 m/s, P = 0.03). Patients on HAART had higher total cholesterol, triglycerides, and diastolic blood pressure than patients naive to HAART (P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, the independent determinants of increased PWV were HAART duration (unstandardized coefficient b v = 0.007, P = 0.04), serum cholesterol (b = 0.007, P = 0.04), mean or diastolic blood pressure (b = 0.049 and b = 0.060, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: "HIV-infected" individuals have increased arterial stiffness compared to healthy controls. Patients on antiretroviral therapy have similarities regarding their arterial elastic properties with patients with untreated hypertension. There is an independent association between duration of antiretroviral therapy, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure with increased arterial stiffness in "HIV-infected" patients.