Step-by-step diagnosis and management of the nocebo/drucebo effect in statin-associated muscle symptoms patients: a position paper from the International Lipid Expert Panel (ILEP).

Statin intolerance is a clinical syndrome whereby adverse effects (AEs) associated with statin therapy [most commonly statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS)] result in the discontinuation of therapy and consequently increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, complete statin intolerance occurs in only a small minority of treated patients (estimated prevalence of only 3-5%). Many perceived AEs are misattributed (e.g. physical musculoskeletal injury and inflammatory myopathies), and subjective symptoms occur as a result of the fact that patients expect them to do so when taking medicines (the nocebo/drucebo effect)-what might be truth even for over 50% of all patients with muscle weakness/pain. Clear guidance is necessary to enable the optimal management of plasma in real-world clinical practice in patients who experience subjective AEs. In this Position Paper of the International Lipid Expert Panel (ILEP), we present a step-by-step patient-centred approach to the identification and management of SAMS with a particular focus on strategies to prevent and manage the nocebo/drucebo effect and to improve long-term compliance with lipid-lowering therapy.

Left atrial structure and function predictors of recurrent fibrillation after catheter ablation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation (CA) has become a conventional treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF), but remains with high recurrence rate. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine left atrial (LA) structure and function indices that predict recurrence of AF. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed-Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Central Registry, up to September 2017 in order to select clinical trials and observational studies which reported echocardiographic predictors of AF recurrence after CA. Eighty-five articles with a total of 16 126 patients were finally included. RESULTS: The pooled analysis showed that after a follow-up period of 21 ± 12 months, patients with AF recurrence had larger LA diameter with weighted mean difference (WMD: 2·99 ([95% CI 2·50-3·47], P<0·001), larger LA volume index (LAVI) maximal and LAVI minimal (P<0·0001 for both), larger LA area (P<0·0001), lower LA strain (P<0·0001) and lower LA total emptying fraction (LA EF) (P<0·0001) compared with those without AF recurrence. The most powerful LA predictors (in accuracy order) of AF recurrence were as follows: LA strain <19% (OR: 3·1[95% CI, -1.3-10·4], P<0·0001), followed by LA diameter ≥50 mm (OR: 2·75, [95% CI 1·66-4·56,] P<0·0001), and LAVmax >150 ml (OR: 2·25, [95% CI, 1.1-5·6], P = 0·0002). CONCLUSIONS: Based on this meta-analysis results, a dilated left atrium with diameter more than 50 mm and volume above 150 ml or myocardial strain below 19% reflect an unstable LA that is unlikely to hold sinus rhythm after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Quality of life questionnaire predicts poor exercise capacity only in HFpEF and not in HFrEF.

BACKGROUND: The Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) is the most widely used measure of quality of life (QoL) in HF patients. This prospective study aimed to assess the relationship between QoL and exercise capacity in HF patients. METHODS: The study subjects were 118 consecutive patients with chronic HF (62 ± 10 years, 57 females, in NYHA I-III). Patients answered a MLHFQ questionnaire in the same day of complete clinical, biochemical and echocardiographic assessment. They also underwent a 5 min walk test (6-MWT), in the same day, which grouped them into; Group I: ≤ 300 m and Group II: >300 m. In addition, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF), divided them into: Group A, with preserved EF (HFpEF) and Group B with reduced EF (HFrEF). RESULTS: The mean MLHFQ total scale score was 48 (±17). The total scale, and the physical and emotional functional MLHFQ scores did not differ between HFpEF and HFpEF. Group I patients were older (p = 0.003), had higher NYHA functional class (p = 0.002), faster baseline heart rate (p = 0.006), higher prevalence of smoking (p = 0.015), higher global, physical and emotional MLHFQ scores (p < 0.001, for all), larger left atrial (LA) diameter (p = 0.001), shorter LV filling time (p = 0.027), higher E/e' ratio (0.02), shorter isovolumic relaxation time (p = 0.028), lower septal a' (p = 0.019) and s' (p = 0.023), compared to Group II. Independent predictors of 6-MWT distance for the group as a whole were increased MLHFQ total score (p = 0.005), older age (p = 0.035), and diabetes (p = 0.045), in HFpEF were total MLHFQ (p = 0.007) and diabetes (p = 0.045) but in HFrEF were only LA enlargement (p = 0.005) and age (p = 0.013. A total MLHFQ score of 48.5 had a sensitivity of 67% and specificity of 63% (AUC on ROC analysis of 72%) for limited exercise performance in HF patients. CONCLUSIONS: Quality of life, assessment by MLHFQ, is the best correlate of exercise capacity measured by 6-MWT, particularly in HFpEF patients. Despite worse ejection fraction in HFrEF, signs of raised LA pressure independently determine exercise capacity in these patients.

Early and mid-term outcome in terms of functional and hemodynamic performance of the st. Jude regent 19-mm aortic mechanical prosthesis versus 19-mm carpentier edwards aortic biological prosthesis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study is to compare the early and mid-term clinical and hemodynamic results of the aortic valve replacement (AVR) with a St Jude Medical Regent 19-mm prosthesis (SJMR-19) versus Carpentied-Edwars bovine pericardial 19-mm valve (CE-19). METHODS: Between January 2002 and January 2012, 265 patients (Group I) and 58 patients (Group II) with underwent AVR with a SJMR-19 and CE-19 respectively. There were no significant differences between groups regarding the demographic and preoperative echocardiographic data. Thirty-six patients in Group I and 4 in Group II required annulus enlargement in association or not with septal myectomy. The mean follow-up was 34 ± 18.5 months (range 5-60 months). RESULTS: There were 14 (5.3 %) hospital deaths in Group I versus 4 (6.8 %) in Group II (p = 0.86). The multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the LVEF ≤ 35 % (p = 0.001), combined operation (p = 0.0005), CPB (p = 0.033), age (p = 0.011), annulus enlargement (p = 0.0009), reoperation (p = 0.039) and chronic renal failure (p = 0.011) as strong predictors for early postoperative death. Within 1 year after surgery peak pulmonary artery pressure, interventricular septal and left ventricular posterior wall thickness decreased significantly in both groups. The M-TPG was 15.7 ± 6.5 mmHg in Group I versus 17 ± 7 mmHg in Group II (p = 0.19). The multivariate regression analysis revealed the annulus enlargement (p = 0.018), small EOAi (p = 0.00004), postoperative LVMi (p = 0.0001) and BSA (p = 0.019) as strong predictors for higher M-TPG. The postoperative LVMi was 119 ± 22.5 gm/m(2) in Group I and 122 ± 22 gm/m(2) in Group II (p = 0.37), significantly lower than the respective preoperative values 162.5 ± 34 gm/m(2) (Group I) and 168 ± 30 gm/m(2) (Group II). The actuarial survival and cumulative free-reoperation actuarial survival at 5 years follow-up were 96.7 and 94.5 % respectively in Group I and 97 and 91 % in Group II.. There were non significant differences between groups regarding the actuarial survival and cumulative free-reoperation survival. The Cox model identified the older age (p = 0.022), LVEF ≤ 35 % (p = 0.009), reoperation (p = 0.018), combined surgery (p = 0.00075) and annulus enlargement (p = 0.033) as strong predictors for poor actuarial free-reoperation survival. CONCLUSIONS: Both the SJMR-19 and CE-19 offers excellent postoperative clinical and hemodynamic outcome in patients with small aortic annulus. The LV hypertrophy and transvalvular gradients are reduced significantly indenpendently of the employed SJMR-19 or CE-19 prosthesis. Our data support recent suggestions that small valve size does not influence intermediate free-reoperation survival. The CE-19 is an excellent alternative to SJMR-19 in old patients.

Left ventricular response to pressure afterload in children: aortic stenosis and coarctation: a systematic review of the current evidence.

Congenital aortic stenosis (CAS) and Coarctation of Aorta (CoA) represent two forms of pressure afterload that affect the left ventricle (LV), hence require regular echocardiographic monitoring. Subclinical dysfunction of the LV exists even in asymptomatic patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), implying low sensitivity of EF in predicting optimum time for intervention. In this article we review patterns of LV myocardial deformation before and after correction of CAS and CoA in infants, children and adolescents, showing their important role in monitoring the course of LV dysfunction. A systematic search using PubMed was performed and suitable studies are presented on a narrative form. Normal EF and/or fractional shortening (FS), with subclinical myocardial dysfunction are reported in all studies before intervention. The short-term results, after intervention, were related to the type of procedure, with no improvement or further deterioration related to surgery but immediate improvement after balloon intervention. Long term follow-up showed further improvement but still subnormal function. Thus correction of CAS and CoA before irreversible LV dysfunction is vital, and requires longitudinal studies in order to identify the most accurate parameter for function prognostication. Until then, conventional echocardiographic parameters together with myocardial velocities and deformation parameters should continue to provide follow-up reproducible measures of ventricular function.

Coronary and carotid atherosclerosis: how useful is the imaging?

The recent advancement of imaging modalities has made possible visualization of atherosclerosis disease in all phases of its development. Markers of subclinical atherosclerosis or even the most advanced plaque features are acquired by invasive (IVUS, OCT) and non-invasive imaging modalities (US, MRI, CTA). Determining plaques prone to rupture (vulnerable plaques) might help to identify patients at risk for myocardial infarction or stroke. The most accepted features of plaque vulnerability include: thin cap fibroatheroma, large lipid core, intimal spotty calcification, positive remodeling and intraplaque neovascularizations. Today, research is focusing on finding imaging techniques that are less invasive, less radiation and can detect most of the vulnerable plaque features. While, carotid atherosclerosis can be visualized using noninvasive imaging, such as US, MRI and CT, imaging plaque feature in coronary arteries needs invasive imaging modalities. However, atherosclerosis is a systemic disease with plaque development simultaneously in different arteries and data acquisition in carotid arteries can add useful information for prediction of coronary events.

Coronary and carotid atherosclerosis: similarities and differences.

Although a relationship is commonly accepted between coronary and carotid arterial disease, suggesting that atherosclerosis is a systemic condition, the extent of this association and correspondence has not been fully elucidated. This review discusses recent research in this field and highlights areas for future study. The prevalence of severe carotid stenosis increases with prevalence of coronary stenosis, with the latter being found in a significant number of stroke patients, while those with carotid stenosis may be at higher risk of myocardial infarction than stroke. There also appear to be common risk factors (age, diabetes, hypertension, smoking and dyslipidemia), although the effects in both vascular systems may not be identical. Furthermore, while the degree of stenosis in the coronary artery has little ability to predict acute coronary syndrome, which is caused by local thrombosis from a ruptured or eroded plaque, severe carotid stenosis causing hypoperfusion is highly predictive of stroke, although this effect may be time-limited. This apparent difference in event mechanism in the two arteries is interesting as is the difference in the rate of development of collaterals. Overall, the evidence shows that a clear relationship exists between disease in the coronary and carotid arteries, since conventional risk factors and the extent of stenosis and/or previous events emanating from one artery have a strong bearing on the prevalence of events in the other artery. Nevertheless, the exact correspondence between the two arteries is unclear, with sometimes contradictory study results. More research is needed to identify the full extent of risk factors for severe stenosis and cardio- or cerebral vascular events, among which, inflammatory biomarkers such as hs-CRP and prior vascular events are likely to play a key role.

Prolonged total isovolumic time is related to reduced long-axis functional recovery following valve replacement surgery for severe aortic stenosis.

BACKGROUND: The left ventricular (LV) long axis (Lax) function is very sensitive in documenting myocardial abnormalities in aortic stenosis (AS). We hypothesized that Lax recovery after aortic valve replacement (AVR) is related to the extent of cavity dyssynchrony measured by total isovolumic time (t-IVT). METHODS: A consecutive 107 patients (aged 70 ± 7 years, 70 male) with severe AS and Lax impairment were studied. T-IVT was measured before and after AVR. Reduced Lax function and its post-operative recovery were defined as mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) ≦10 mm and an increase of MAPSE >10%, respectively. RESULTS: LV function improved (EF: 43 ± 8 to 48 ± 10%; MAPSE: 7.9 ± 1.0 to 11.0 ± 2.4 mm) and t-IVT shortened (9.7 ± 3.7 to 7.0 ± 2.8s/min, p<0.01 for all) after AVR. Sixty-five (61%) patients had Lax recovery after a median of 32-month follow-up. Univariate predictors were LV size, LA dimensions, the presence of restrictive LV filling and prolonged t-IVT. Only LV end-systolic dimension, restrictive filling and t-IVT (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.47-0.79, p<0.01) were independent predictors. A pre-operative t-IVT ≦ 9.3s/min was 81% sensitive and 63% specific in predicting Lax recovery (AUC 0.81, p<0.001). The prevalence of CAD or concomitant CABG were similar in 2 patient groups with different t-IVT. CONCLUSIONS: Lax recovery was evident in the majority of AS patients after AVR. The lower prevalence of Lax recovery seen in patients with prolonged t-IVT suggests that dyssynchrony may play an important role in the process of adverse LV remodeling.

Aortic valve replacement normalizes left ventricular twist function.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of aortic valve replacement (AVR) on left ventricular (LV) twist function. We studied 28 severe aortic stenosis (AS) patients with normal LV ejection fraction (EF) before and six months after AVR. LV long axis function was assessed using M-mode and tissue Doppler and twist function using speckle tracking echocardiography. The data were compared with 28 age and sex-matched normal controls. In patients, LVEF remained unchanged after AVR. LV long axis function was reduced before surgery but normalized after AVR. LV twist was increased before (19.7 ± 5.7° vs. 12.9 ± 3.2°, P<0.001) and normalized after AVR (14.4 ± 5.2 °, P < 0.001). In normals, LV twist correlated with LV fractional shortening (r = 0.81, P<0.001) but not with EF. This relationship was reversed in patients before ( r= 0.52, P < 0.01) and after AVR (r = 0.34, P = ns). In patients with severe AS and normal EF, LV twist is exaggerated suggesting potential compensation for the reduced long axis function. These disturbances normalize within six months of AVR but lose their relationship with basal LV function.

Independent and incremental prognostic value of Doppler-derived left ventricular total isovolumic time in patients with systolic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: A prolonged total isovolumic time (T-IVT) has been shown to be associated with worsening survival in patients submitted to coronary artery surgery. However, it is not known whether it has prognostic significance in patients with chronic systolic heart failure (HF). AIM: To determine the prognostic value of T-IVT in comparison with other clinical, biochemical and echocardiographic variables in patients with chronic systolic HF. METHODS: Patients (n=107; age 68±12 years, 25% women) with chronic systolic HF, left ventricular ejection fraction (EF)<45%, and sinus rhythm, underwent a complete Doppler echocardiographic study, that included tissue Doppler long axis velocities and total isovolumic time (T-IVT), determined as [60-(total ejection time+total filling time)]. Plasma N-terminal pro-B natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) was also measured. The associations of dichotomous variables selected according to the Receiver Operator Characteristic analysis were assessed using the Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: Follow-up period was 37±18 months. Multivariate predictors of events were T-IVT≥12.3% s/min, mean E/Em ratio≥10, log NT-pro-BNP levels≥2.47 pg/ml and LV EF≤32.5%. On Kaplan-Meier analysis, patients with prolonged T-IVT, high mean E/Em ratio, increased NT-pro-BNP levels and decreased LV EF had a worse outcome compared with those without. The addition of T-IVT and NT-pro-BNP to conventional clinical and echocardiographic variables significantly improved the chi-square for the prediction of the outcome from 33.1 to 38.0, (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged T-IVT added to the prognostic stratification of patients with systolic HF.

Persistent ventricular asynchrony after coronary artery bypass surgery predicts cardiac events.

AIM: The aim of this study was to identify echocardiographic LV systolic and diastolic measurements that predict clinical events post-coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. METHODS: We collected data from 27 patients (age 70 +/- 7 years) who underwent elective CABG, before and within 6 weeks after surgery. LV systolic function was assessed by conventional echocardiographic parameters. A number of LV filling measurements were also made, which included total isovolumic time (t-IVT), Tei index, and restrictive filling pattern. Postoperative cardiac events were death or hospitalization for chest pain, breathlessness, or arrhythmia. RESULTS: Patient's follow-up period was 17 +/- 10 months. Of the 27 patients (age 70 +/- 7 years, 22 male), 10 had postoperative cardiac events. LV ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) were lower (P = 0.01, and P = 0.007, respectively), t-IVT longer (P < 0.001), and Tei index was higher (P < 0.001) preoperatively in patients with events compared to those without. The same differences between groups remained after surgery; EF (P = 0.002), FS (P = 0.002), t-IVT (P < 0.001), and Tei index (P < 0.001). T-IVT was the only preoperative predictor of events (P = 0.038) but its postoperative value as well as that of FS predicted events (P = 0.034, and P = 0.042, respectively). T-IVT of 12.2 s/min and FS of 26% were 80% sensitive and 88% specific for predicting postoperative events. CONCLUSION: Despite successful surgical revascularization residual impairment of LV systolic function and persistent asynchrony in the form of prolonged t-IVT are associated with postoperative events. Since these abnormalities remained despite full medical therapy, they may thus suggest a need for electrical resynchronization therapy.

Ecocardiografia e teste de caminhada de 6 minutos na disfunção sistólica do ventrículo esquerdo / Ecocardiografía y prueba de caminata de 6 minutos en la disfunción sistólica del ventrículo izquierdo / Echocardiography and 6-minute walk test in left ventricular systolic dysfunction

FUNDAMENTO: Insuficiência cardíaca crônica é um grave distúrbio cardiovascular. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar prospectivamente se o resultado do teste de caminhada de 6 minutos (TC-6M) se correlaciona com as variáveis ecocardiográficas em pacientes portadores de disfunção sistólica do ventrículo esquerdo e insuficiência cardíaca crônica estável. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados prospectivamente 52 pacientes (65 por cento homens; média de idade de 60±11 anos) portadores de insuficiência cardíaca crônica secundária à cardiopatia isquêmica ou miocardiopatia idiopática. Todos os pacientes apresentavam disfunção sistólica do ventrículo esquerdo (fração de ejeção <0.45) e encontravam-se em insuficiência cardíaca classe funcional II ou III da NYHA. Foram realizados um estudo de eco-Doppler e um TC-6M no mesmo dia. RESULTADOS: O TC-6M apresentou correlação moderada, mas estatisticamente significante, com o diâmetro sistólico final - DSF (r=-0,46; p=0,0006), com a fração de encurtamento - FEn (r=0,52; p=0,0001) e com a fração de ejeção (FE) (r=0,5; p=0,0001), e apresentou correlação fraca, mas estatisticamente significante, com o índice de desempenho miocárdico - IDM (r=-0,39; p=0,0046), a relação E/A (tricúspide) (r=-0,333; p=0,016), o tempo de aceleração do fluxo pulmonar (r=0,328; p=0,018), e com a amplitude do eixo longo lateral (r=0,283; p=0,04). O modelo de regressão linear demonstrou que a idade (χ2=-0,59, p=<0,001), o padrão de enchimento restritivo transmitral (χ2=-0,44, p=0,004) e a dimensão sistólica final do ventrículo esquerdo (χ2=-0,34, p=0,012) foram fatores independentes que influenciam o TC-6M. CONCLUSÃO: Em pacientes portadores de insuficiência cardíaca decorrente de disfunção sistólica do ventrículo esquerdo, o TC-6M como ferramenta de avaliação clínica da capacidade funcional apresenta uma correlação significante com os principais parâmetros da função sistólica global do VE e com o IDM do VE. Em pacientes ...

BACKGROUND: Chronic heart failure is a major cardiovascular disorder. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to prospectively examine whether a 6-min walk test (6-MWT) result correlates with echocardiographic variables in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction and stable chronic heart failure. METHODS: We prospectively studied 52 patients (65 percent male; mean age 60±11 years) who had chronic heart failure secondary to ischemic heart disease or idiopathic cardiomyopathy. All patients had left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction <0.45), and were in stable NYHA class II or III heart failure. An echo-Doppler study and a 6-MWT were performed on the same day. RESULTS: 6-MWT had moderate, but statistically significant correlation with end-systolic diameter (ESD) (r=-0.46; p=0.0006), with shortening fraction-SF (r=0.52; p=0.0001), and with ejection fraction-EF (r=0.5; p=0.0001), whereas it had poor, but statistically significant correlation with myocardial performance index-MPI (r=-0.39; p=0.0046), E/A(tricuspid) ratio (r=-0.333; p=0.016), pulmonary acceleration time (r=0.328; p=0.018), and lateral long axis amplitude (r=0.283; p=0.04). Linear regression model demonstrated that age (χ2=-0.59, p=<0.001), restrictive transmitral filling pattern (χ2=-0.44, p=0.004) and left ventricular end-systolic dimension (χ2=-0.34, p=0.012) were independent factors that influenced the 6-MWT. CONCLUSION: In patients with heart failure due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction, the 6-MWT as a clinical assessment tool of the functional capacity has a significant correlation with the most important global LV systolic function parameters, as well as with LV MPI. In patients with LV systolic dysfunction, age, restrictive transmitral filling pattern, and left ventricular systolic dimension, were independently associated with the 6-MWT.

FUNDAMENTO: La insuficiencia cardiaca crónica es un grave disturbio cardiovascular. OBJETIVO: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar prospectivamente si el resultado de la prueba de caminata de 6 minutos (PC-6M) se correlaciona con las variables ecocardiográficas en pacientes portadores de disfunción sistólica del ventrículo izquierdo e insuficiencia cardiaca crónica estable. MÉTODOS: Se estudiaron prospectivamente a 52 pacientes (el 65 por ciento varones; promedio de edad de 60±11 años) portadores de insuficiencia cardiaca crónica secundaria a la cardiopatía isquémica o la miocardiopatía idiopática. Todos los pacientes presentaban disfunción sistólica del ventrículo izquierdo (fracción de eyección <0.45) y se encontraban en insuficiencia cardiaca clase funcional II ó III de la NYHA. Se realizaron un estudio de Ecocardiografía Doppler y una PC-6M en el mismo día. RESULTADOS: La PC-6M presentó correlación moderada, pero estadísticamente significante, con el diámetro sistólico final (DSF): r=-0,46; p=0,0006; con la fracción de acortamiento (FA): r=0,52; p=0,0001; y con la fracción de eyección (FE): r=0,5; p=0,0001. Presentó también correlación débil, pero estadísticamente significante, con el índice de desempeño miocárdico (IDM): r=-0,39; p=0,0046; la relación E/A (tricúspide): r=-0,333; p=0,016; el tiempo de aceleración del flujo pulmonar: r=0,328; p=0,018; y con la amplitud del eje largo lateral: r=0,283; p=0,04. El modelo de regresión lineal evidenció que la edad (χ2=-0,59, p=<0,001), el patrón de llenado restrictivo transmitral (χ2=-0,44, p=0,004) y la dimensión sistólica final del ventrículo izquierdo (χ2=-0,34, p=0,012) fueron factores independientes que influencian la PC-6M. CONCLUSIONES: En pacientes portadores de insuficiencia cardiaca resultante de disfunción sistólica del ventrículo izquierdo, la PC-6M como herramienta de evaluación clínica de la capacidad funcional presenta una correlación significante con los ...

Cor triatriatum sinister--three case reports.

UNLABELLED: Cor triatriatum is a rare congenital heart disease (0.1% of all congenital cardiac defects), but a higher incidence, up to 0.4% has been reported in autopsies of pts with CHD (1, 2, 7). There are two types: left and right. Cor triatriatum sinister is more common that dexter. Cor triatriatum dextrum is extremely rare. Fewer than 300 cases of cor triatriatum have been reported. It can occur as an isolated defect (classic) or in association with other congenital cardiac anomalies (atypical). It's a surgically correctable CHD and can occur as an isolated defect (classic) or in association with other congenital cardiac anomalies (atypical). METHODS: A retrospective review of three patients with Cor triatriatum, diagnosed at University Children's Hospital, during a eight year period (2000-2007). Among 1671 patients with CHD, the diagnosis of cor triatriatum has been established in three patients (0.18%). There were two boys and one girl, aged two years, 6 months and nine years, respectively. All of them had cor triatriatum sinister, with a communication between the right atrium and either the proximal or distal chamber. The first patient had a classic form of cor triatriatum, with a small hole in the diaphragm between atria, which imitated mitral stenosis, while the third patient had also mitral valve prolapse, but the hole between atria was unrestrictive. The second patient manifested atypical form, with many, additional defects: except large, unrestrictive ASD with a very small hole in the diaphragm between two atria, he had also total anomalous pulmonary venous return, draining in coronary sinus, large perimembranous VSD, hypoplastic aorta with coarctation, and high pulmonary vascular resistance. In the second patient, the diagnosis has been performed at 6 months of age, but due to lack of cardio-surgery and poor possibilities for going abroad for operation--finally he had been operated seven months later, but he died a week after surgery. The first patient has been successfully operated, immediately after the diagnosis was performed, while the last patient was diagnosed incidentally at the age of nine. She was symptoms free up to now, but recently she was developing symptoms and was successfully operated. CONCLUSION: Cor triatriatum is more prevalent than is thought before echocardiography era. Echocardiography was method of choice in the diagnosis of typical forms, while in a atypical form cardiac catheterization was also performed. Two patients with classic form of CT were successfully operated, while the patient with atypical form and many additional cardiac anomalies died after cardio surgery. The main predictors for prognosis are: the size of the hole in the diaphragm between two chambers of atrium, additional cardiac malformations, and time of surgery.

In-hospital mortality following acute myocardial infarction in Kosovo: a single center study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Randomized trials have demonstrated that primary angioplasty is more effective than intravenous thrombolysis in reducing mortality and morbidity in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The aim of this study was to assess the in-hospital mortality of patients with AMI admitted to the only tertiary care center in Kosovo, where coronary percutaneous intervention procedures are unavailable. We also assessed the impact of age and gender on in-hospital mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with the diagnosis of AMI, admitted in our institution between 1999 and 2007, were included in this retrospective study. RESULTS: Of 2848 patients (mean age 61+/-11.3 years, 73.4% males) admitted with AMI, 292 (10.25%) patients died during in-hospital stay. The overall in-hospital mortality was 12.3% for women and 9.5% for men (P<.05). Women were significantly older than men (64.2+/-11 years vs 59.7+/-11.8 years, P<.05). Mean length of stay was 12.0+/-94 for women and 10.7+/-7.6 for men. From 1999 to 2007 there was an increase in the age of patients with AMI but the mortality rate remained stable. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to developed countries, patients with AMI in Kosovo present at an earlier age but have a higher mortality rate. Women with AMI had a significantly higher in-hospital mortality rate than men. The lack of percutaneous coronary intervention procedures in AMI patients may have contributed to the high in-hospital mortality in our population.

Prolonged total isovolumic time predicts cardiac events following coronary artery bypass surgery.

AIMS: Left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction may be associated with compromised stroke volume, which may be caused by asynchrony, reflected on the prolongation of isovolumic time (t-IVT). To assess the prognostic role of Doppler echocardiographic measurements in predicting cardiac events after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS AND RESULTS: The study included 74 patients undergoing routine CABG. A pre-CABG Doppler echocardiographic assessment of LV dimensions, filling and ejection was performed and t-IVT was determined as [60 - (total ejection time + total filling time)]. Follow-up period was 18 +/- 12 months. Of the 74 patients (age 65 +/- 16 years, 59 males), 29 underwent hospital admission for a cardiac event or died. There were no differences in age, gender, incidence of previous infarct or mitral regurgitation, LV-EDD (left ventricular end-diastolic dimension), left atrial or right ventricular size in patients with cardiac events compared with those without events. Left ventricular end-systolic dimension (LV-ESD) was greater (4.5 +/- 0.9 vs. 3.9 +/- 0.9 cm, P = 0.003), fractional shortening (FS) was lower (21 +/- 4 vs. 32 +/- 8%), E:A ratio and Tei index were higher (2.1 +/- 0.8 vs. 1.0 +/- 0.6 and 0.9 +/- 0.3 vs. 0.6 +/- 0.3, all P < 0.001), and t-IVT was longer (16 +/- 5 vs.10 +/- 4 s/min, P < 0.001) in patients with events. Multivariate predictors of post-CABG events (odds ratio 95% confidence interval) were low FS [0.66 (0.50-0.87), P < 0.001], high E:A ratio [l4.13 (1.17-14.60), P = 0.028], large LV-ESD [0.19 (0.05-0.84), P = 0.029], and long t-IVT [1.37 (1.02-1.84), P = 0.035]. CONCLUSION: Despite satisfactory surgical revascularization, long t-IVT and systolic dysfunction suggest persistent ventricular dyssynchrony that contributes to post-CABG cardiac events. Early assessment of such patients for potential benefit from electrical resynchronization may optimize their cardiac performance and hence clinical outcome.

Giant left atrial myxoma in an elderly patient: natural history over a 7-year period.

We present the case of a 71-year-old woman with a 7-year history of a giant left atrial myxoma. The myxoma was attached to the atrial septum and occupied almost the entire left atrial cavity. The patient was hospitalized 4 times because of dyspnea on exertion, palpitations, fatigue, general asthenia, and weight loss. During prior hospitalizations, the patient had refused cardiac surgery. She developed several complications, including atrial fibrillation, mitral and tricuspid regurgitation, mesenteric embolism, pulmonary edema, and thrombotic stroke. We herein describe the natural history of left atrial myxoma in an elderly patient over a 7-year period.

Remission of high-output heart failure after surgical repair of 30-month arteriovenous femoral fistula: case report.

We present a 15-year-old male patient who was admitted to our hospital because of breathlessness and palpitations at minimal physical effort (New York Heart Association class II). The patient had a history of an abdominal and left thigh firearm wound that was surgically treated 30 months earlier. Auscultation over the left femoral groin region revealed a systolodiastolic murmur. X-ray examination of the chest demonstrated significant cardiomegaly. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed an enlargement of 4 cardiac chambers, as well as significant mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. Vascular ultrasound of the femoral artery and vein confirmed the diagnosis of a traumatic arteriovenous fistula. The patient underwent surgical correction of the fistula, after which the symptoms subsided rapidly. Follow-up echocardiography performed 2 months after surgical repair showed a substantial reduction of cardiac size and a nearly complete absence of valvular regurgitations. This case highlights the importance of the recognition of arteriovenous fistulas as a cause of unexpected heart failure and demonstrates that the condition may improve substantially and rapidly after fistula correction.

Non-insulin dependent diabetes as an independent predictor of asymptomatic left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

AIM: To assess the prevalence of diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and its relation to patients' age and duration of diabetes. METHODS: This case-control study included 228 subjects. The group of cases consisted of 114 patients with NIDDM. The group of controls included 114 subjects without diabetes, enrolled in the study at the same time as the group of cases. Diastolic function of the left ventricle was assessed by pulsed Doppler echocardiography. The ratio between the maximal early filling velocity (E wave) and the maximal late (atrial) filling velocity (A wave) less than 1 (E/A ratio<1) was considered as a criterion for left ventricle diastolic dysfunction. RESULTS: The E/A ratio<1 was found in 75 patients (65.8%) in the group with diabetes, and in 38 subjects (33.3%) in the control group (P=0.001). Multiple logistic regression model showed that diabetes was the strongest independent correlate of left ventricle diastolic dysfunction (odds ratio 8.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.20 to 18.52, P<0.001). In the group with diabetes, the multivariate analysis showed that age (P=0.001), level of triglycerides (P=0.006), history of smoking (P=0.011), and the duration of diabetes (P=0.019) were independently associated with left ventricle diastolic dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Non-insulin dependent diabetes is an independent predictor of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients without clinical evidence of structural heart disease. In patients with NIDDM, the age, history of smoking, plasma level of triglycerides, and the duration of diabetes were independently associated with the diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle.