Quality of Life in Patients With Asymptomatic Primary Hyperparathyroidism After Parathyroidectomy: A 3-Year Longitudinal Study.

OBJECTIVE: Impaired quality of life (QoL) is considered as a nonclassical manifestation of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). This study aimed to detect and compare changes in the QoL of patients with asymptomatic PHPT who had successful curative parathyroidectomy (PTX) 3 months and 3 years after the procedure. METHODS: Patients with diagnosed PHPT were eligible for the study. There were 2 groups: the PTX group, with patients who underwent PTX, and the non-PTX group, with patients who were treated conservatively. QoL was assessed using Pasieka's Parathyroid Assessment of Symptoms Questionnaire (PAS-Q) at baseline, 3 months, and 3 years. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were included in the study: 18 in the PTX group and 20 in the non-PTX group. In the PTX group, the mean PAS-Q total score before PTX was 518, which was reduced significantly at the 3-month (P = .003) and 3-year assessments (P = .001). However, in the non-PTX group, the mean PAS-Q total score was 326 at baseline and increased continuously for 3 years (P = .019). At the 3-year evaluation, the mean total score was significantly higher compared to that of the PTX group (P = .021). Finally, there was a positive correlation between total serum calcium and PAS-Q score in the non-PTX group (r = 0.524, P = .018). CONCLUSION: QoL of patients with PHPT improved significantly compared to that in conservative surveillance as early as 3 months after successful, curative PTX, and remained improved for 3 years. This finding strengthens, even more, the hypothesis that PTX contributes to better QoL, suggesting that the derangement of QoL may be considered as an individual indication for surgery.

Cardiac magnetic resonance for ventricular arrhythmias: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) allows comprehensive myocardial tissue characterisation, revealing areas of myocardial inflammation or fibrosis that may predispose to ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). With this study, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of structural heart disease (SHD) and decipher the prognostic implications of CMR in selected patients presenting with significant VAs. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched for studies enrolling adult patients that underwent CMR for diagnostic or prognostic purposes in the setting of significant VAs. A random effects model meta-analysis of proportions was performed to estimate the prevalence of SHD. HRs were pooled together in order to evaluate the prognostic value of CMR. RESULTS: The prevalence of SHD was reported in 18 studies. In all-comers with significant VAs, the pooled rate of SHD post-CMR evaluation was 39% (24% in the subgroup of premature ventricular contractions and/or non-sustained ventricular tachycardia vs 63% in the subgroup of more complex VAs). A change in diagnosis after use of CMR ranged from 21% to 66% with a pooled average of 35% (29%-41%). A non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy was the most frequently identified SHD (56%), followed by ischaemic heart disease (21%) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (5%). After pooling together data from six studies, we found that the presence of late gadolinium enhancement was associated with increased risk of major adverse outcomes in patients with significant VAs (pooled HR: 1.79; 95% CI 1.33 to 2.42). CONCLUSION: CMR is a valuable tool in the diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of patients with VAs. CMR should be considered early after initial evaluation in the diagnostic algorithm for VAs of unclear aetiology as this strategy may also define prognosis and improve risk stratification.

Torsades de Pointes and Prolonged Self-Terminating Ventricular Fibrillation Induced by Amiodarone.

A 71-year-old man with a recent diagnosis of pneumonia developed paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and was admitted to the cardiology service. Amiodarone was administered intravenously to restore sinus rhythm. Significant prolongation of the QT interval (QTc = 640ms) was noted and an exceedingly prolonged (over 3 minutes), self-terminating, episode of ventricular flutter/fibrillation occurred during bedside monitoring. The event was terminated without first converting to a more organized ventricular rhythm and without any adverse neurological sequelae. Apart from the long duration of ventricular fibrillation and its spontaneous termination, our case highlights the importance of the continuous heart rhythm monitoring in patients with extreme QT interval prolongation.

Data on diagnostic performance of stress perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance for coronary artery disease detection at the vessel level.

Stress perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has been proposed as an important gatekeeper for invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in patients evaluated for possible coronary artery disease (CAD) (Fihn et al., 2012; Montalescot et al., 2013) [1], [2]. Several meta-analyses have evaluated the accuracy of stress perfusion CMR to diagnose CAD at the vessel level (Danad et al., 2017; Dai et al., 2016; Jiang et al., 2016; Takx et al., 2015; Li et al., 2015; Desai and Jha, 2013; Jaarsma et al. 2012; Hamon et al., 2010; Nandalur et al. 2007) [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11]. However, they included in the same analysis studies with different definitions of significant CAD (i.e. fractional flow reserve [FFR] < 0.75 and < 0.80 or coronary stenosis ≥ 50% and ≥ 70%), magnetic field strength (1.5 or 3 Tesla [T]), and study protocol (integration or not of late gadolinium enhancement [LGE] into stress perfusion protocol). Data of 34 studies (6091 arteries) have been pooled with the aim of analyzing the accuracy of stress perfusion CMR for the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease at the vessel level according to different definitions of significant CAD, magnetic field strength and study protocol (Arnold et al., 2010; Bettencourt et al., 2013; Cheng et al., 2007; Chiribiri et al., 2013; Cury et al., 2006; De Mello et al., 2012; Donati et al., 2010; Ebersberger et al., 2013; Gebker et al., 2008; Greulich et al., 2015; Hussain et al., 2016; Ishida et al., 2005, 2003; Kamiya et al., 2014; Kitagawa et al., 2008; Klein et al., 2008; Klem et al., 2006; Klumpp et al., 2010; Krittayaphong et al., 2009; Lockie et al., 2011; Ma et al., 2012; Merkle et al., 2007; Meyer et al., 2008; Mor-Avi et al., 2008; Pan et al., 2015; Papanastasiou et al., 2016; Pons Lladó et al., 2004; Sakuma et al., 2005; Salerno et al., 2014; Scheffel et al., 2010; van Werkhoven et al., 2010; Walcher et al., 2013; Watkins et al., 2009; Yun et al., 2015) [12-45]. This article describes data related article titled "Diagnostic Performance of Stress Perfusion Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Detection of Coronary Artery Disease" (Kiaos et al., submitted for publication) [46].

Diagnostic performance of stress perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance for the detection of coronary artery disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy of qualitative stress perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) to diagnose ischemia-causing lesions according to different definitions of significant coronary artery disease (CAD), and magnetic field strength. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for studies evaluating diagnostic performance of qualitative stress perfusion CMR for diagnosis of CAD versus coronary angiography or fractional flow reserve (FFR) from inception to 10 September 2017. We used hierarchical models to synthesize the available data. RESULTS: Sixty-seven studies (7113 patients) met the inclusion criteria. The patient-based analysis of studies using FFR as the reference standard demonstrated a mean sensitivity of 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.85-0.93) and a mean specificity of 0.85 (95% CI, 0.80-0.89). The patient-based analyses for detecting coronary stenosis ≥50% and coronary stenosis ≥70% at 1.5T and for detecting coronary stenosis ≥50% and coronary stenosis ≥70%, at 3T, demonstrated a mean sensitivity of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.79-0.84), 0.86 (95% CI, 0.83-0.89), 0.90 (95% CI, 0.82-0.95), and 0.91 (95% CI, 0.79-0.96), respectively; with a mean specificity of 0.75 (95% CI, 0.71-0.80), 0.77 (95% CI, 0.71-0.81), 0.79 (95% CI, 0.69-0.86), and 0.74 (95% CI, 0.59-0.85). CONCLUSION: Qualitative stress perfusion CMR has high accuracy for the diagnosis of CAD, irrespective of the reference standard and the magnet strength. Studies using FFR as the reference standard had higher diagnostic accuracy on a patient level compared to studies using coronary angiography, with a notable difference in specificity.

Massive coronary artery air embolism due to an unusual cause.

A 46-year-old man underwent angioplasty of a restenotic bifurcation lesion of the circumflex artery. The procedure required repeated balloon exchanges and during the last balloon inflation, no balloon was visualized. A test injection revealed a massive coronary air embolism due to expulsion of air that had accumulated in the guiding catheter shaft. The patient was rapidly resuscitated from electromechanical dissociation with intracoronary injection of adrenaline and atropine and forceful intracoronary saline injections. Inspection of the balloon revealed a defect and scratch marks at the junction of the wire part and shaft of the monorail balloon, a location that places the air leakage inside the guiding catheter. This is the first report of massive intracoronary air embolism due to an undetectable damage to the shaft of a balloon angioplasty catheter. Recognition of the problem and immediate intervention is vital in limiting the duration of cardiac dysfunction.