Transient pulmonary and gastric bleeding after iopamidol administration in a patient with marginal zone lymphoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Iopamidol is a non-ionic, water-soluble iodine contrast agent that is considered safe for intravenous or intra-arterial administration and is widely used both in the general population and in patients undergoing oncological treatment. While adverse reactions to iopamidol have been documented, to date, no pulmonary and gastric hemorrhages induced by iopamidol have been reported in oncology patients. We report the first case of this complication. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 60-year-old woman with marginal zone lymphoma who was receiving antineoplastic therapy. As part of the investigation for the condition, she underwent chest enhancement CT with iopamidol. Shortly thereafter(within five minutes), she experienced hemoptysis and hematemesis. She was intubated and admitted to the intensive care unit. Pre- and post-contrast images demonstrated the course of the hemorrhage. Flexible bronchoscopy and gastroscopy on the following day showed no active bleeding, and the patient recovered completely after antiallergy treatment. We speculate that contrast-induced hypersensitivity was the most likely cause of the transient pulmonary and gastric bleeding. CONCLUSION: Although rare, the complications of iopamidol, which may cause allergic reactions in the lungs and stomach, should be considered.

Anxiety is associated with coronary microvascular dysfunction: Results from the CAMADA study.

OBJECTIVE: Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is an important component of ischemic heart disease. Here, we assessed the associations between anxiety/depression and CMD using coronary microvascular function indicators. METHODS: The study included 81 patients (26 males and 55 females) with nonobstructive coronary artery disease. The symptoms of anxiety and depression were measured with Self-rating Anxiety Scale and Self-rating Depression Scale. Coronary microvascular function was assessed using coronary flow reserve (CFR) measured by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography. RESULTS: The anxiety group had significantly lower CFR than that in the no-anxiety group (2.97 ± 0.63 vs. 3.40 ± 0.61, p = .029). In bivariate correlation analysis, anxiety was negatively associated with CFR (r = -.333, p = .002). In the multiple linear regression model, after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking status, and family history of premature coronary heart disease, anxiety was negatively associated with CFR (ß = -.314, p = .008). When both anxiety and depression were included in the multiple linear regression model, anxiety was also negatively associated with CFR (ß = -.345, p = .012). CONCLUSION: Anxiety patients had lower CFR, anxiety was independently associated with CFR. Psychological disorders may play an important role in coronary microvascular dysfunction.

ABSDELL Model: Development and Internal Validation of a Risk Prediction Model of LVEF Decline in Breast Cancer Patients Treated With Trastuzumab.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND: This study aims to establish an integrated model for predicting trastuzumab-associated decline of Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) during drug administration. METHODS: A retrospective study of 212 women who diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer and treated with chemotherapy and trastuzumab was conducted. Medical records were collected from 6 months before staring trastuzumab to 3 years afterwards. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis was used to select variables, time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calibration plots were used to evaluate the model. The adjusted C-index and Brier scores were calculated using a bootstrap internal validation procedure. RESULTS: The median age of participants is 53.2 years old. The median length of follow-up was 336 days. There were 72 patients (33.96%) whose LVEF declined ≥ 10% (10 absolute percent points). Seven factors, namely age, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mitral peak E-wave velocity (E-wave), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) and LVEF, were selected. The name of the ABSDELL model was formed by the initials of each predictor. The area under the curve (AUC) of the model was 0.802 in 1 year and 0.881 in 3 years. Calibration plots indicate the predicted and actual probabilities were highly consistent. In the internal validation, 1-year and 3-year adjusted C-index was 0.801 and 0.881, and adjusted Brier score was 0.118 and 0.091, separately. CONCLUSION: The ABSDELL model can effectively predicts the probability of LVEF decline in breast cancer patients treated with trastuzumab.

Peri-operative Takotsubo syndrome after non-cardiac surgery: a retrospective nested case-control study.

AIMS: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute reversible cardiac dysfunction that may occur during the peri-operative period and among patients with serious illness. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, peri-operative management, and prognosis of peri-operative TTS (pTTS) and explore the factors associated with pTTS. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective nested case-control study using the database of patients who underwent in-hospital non-cardiac surgeries between January 2017 and December 2020 in Peking University Third hospital. Cases were adult patients diagnosed TTS at discharge who were matched with four controls based on operative types. Multivariable conditional logistic regression was used to identified the factors associated with pTTS. The area under the curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy. RESULTS: Among the 128 536 patients underwent non-cardiac surgery, 20 patients with pTTS and 80 patients without were enrolled in this study. The incidence of pTTS was about 0.016% in our centre. The median age of patients with pTTS was 52.5 (38.25, 76.25) years, although 90% of them were female. Fifty per cent (9 cases) of female patients were pre-menopausal. Caesarean section has the highest proportion of pTTS (30% of the pTTS cases) with the incidence of caesarean section-related pTTS of 0.06% in our centre. A high prevalence of non-apical ballooning pattern of regional wall motion abnormality (seven cases, 35%) and a high mortality (two cases, 10%) were observed. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of patients with pTTS was significantly decreased (41.7 ± 8.8%). In the acute phase, supportive treatments aiming to reduce life-threatening complications were main treatment strategies. After receiving systematic treatment, significant improvements were observed in LVEF (63.1 ± 13.5%), with median recovery time of LVEF of 7.48 days. Leucocyte count [odds ratio (OR): 4.59; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10-19.15], haemoglobin (HGB) (OR: 10.52; 95% CI: 1.04-106.36), and the revised cardiac risk index (RCRI) score (OR: 6.30; 95% CI: 1.05-37.88) were the factors significantly associated with pTTS. The RCRI score performed poorly in the prediction of pTTS (AUC: 0.630; 95% CI: 0.525-0.735). After adding leucocyte count and HGB into the RCRI score, the AUC was significantly improved (AUC: 0.768; 95% CI: 0.671-0.865; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with pTTS have some differences compared with common TTS, including higher proportion of pre-menopausal female, higher prevalence during caesarean section, higher prevalence of non-apical ballooning pattern of regional wall motion abnormality, and higher mortality. The RCRI score performed poorly in the evaluation of pTTS. Adding HGB and leucocyte count into the RCRI score could significantly improve its predictive performance.

Development and Validation of Predictive Model-HASBLAD Score-For Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events During Perioperative Period of Non-cardiac Surgery: A Single Center Experience in China.

Background: Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) represent a significant reason of morbidity and mortality in non-cardiac surgery during perioperative period. The prevention of perioperative MACEs has always been one of the hotspots in the research field. Current existing models have not been validated in Chinese population, and have become increasingly unable to adapt to current clinical needs. Objectives: To establish and validate several simple bedside tools for predicting MACEs during perioperative period of non-cardiac surgery in Chinese hospitalized patients. Design: We used a nested case-control study to establish our prediction models. A nomogram along with a risk score were developed using logistic regression analysis. An internal cohort was used to evaluate the performance of discrimination and calibration of these predictive models including the revised cardiac risk index (RCRI) score recommended by current guidelines. Setting: Peking University Third Hospital between January 2010 and December 2020. Patients: Two hundred and fifty three patients with MACEs and 1,012 patients without were included in the training set from January 2010 to December 2019 while 38,897 patients were included in the validation set from January 2020 and December 2020, of whom 112 patients had MACEs. Main Outcome Measures: The MACEs included the composite outcomes of cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal congestive cardiac failure or hemodynamically significant ventricular arrhythmia, and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Results: Seven predictors, including Hemoglobin, CARDIAC diseases, Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), high Blood pressure, Leukocyte count, general Anesthesia, and Diabetes mellitus (HASBLAD), were selected in the final model. The nomogram and HASBLAD score all achieved satisfactory prediction performance in the training set (C statistic, 0.781 vs. 0.768) and the validation set (C statistic, 0.865 vs. 0.843). Good calibration was observed for the probability of MACEs in the training set and the validation set. The two predictive models both had excellent discrimination that performed better than RCRI in the validation set (C statistic, 0.660, P < 0.05 vs. nomogram and HASBLAD score). Conclusion: The nomogram and HASBLAD score could be useful bedside tools for predicting perioperative MACEs of non-cardiac surgery in Chinese hospitalized patients.

Mitral valve repair using an autologous pericardial strip in infants and young children.

We have modified the mitral repair technique in infants and small children by using autologous pericardial strips to treat mitral regurgitation resulting from a dilated mitral annulus. Our results demonstrate that this technique maintains stability and flexibility of the mitral annulus and decreases the risk of mitral stenosis.

Plasma Catestatin: A Useful Biomarker for Coronary Collateral Development with Chronic Myocardial Ischemia.

BACKGROUNDS: Catestatin is an endogenous multifunctional neuroendocrinepeptide. Recently, catestatin was discovered as a novel angiogenic cytokine. The study was to investigate the associations between endogenous catestatin and coronary collateral development among the patients with chronic myocardial ischemia. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with coronary artery chronic total occlusions (CTO) (CTO group) and 38 patients with normal coronary arteries (normal group) were enrolled in the series. Among the patients with CTO, coronary collateral development was graded according to the Rentrop score method. Rentrop score 0-1 collateral development was regarded as poor collateral group and 2-3 collateral development was regarded as good collateral group. Plasma catestatin level and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured by ELISA kits. RESULTS: The plasma catestatin levels in CTO group were significantly higher than that in normal group (1.97±1.01 vs 1.36±0.97ng/ml, p = 0.009). In the CTO group, the patients with good collateral development had significantly higher catestatin and VEGF levels than those with poor collateral development (2.36±0.73 vs 1.61±1.12 ng/ml, p = 0.018; 425.23±140.10 vs 238.48±101.00pg/mL, p<0.001). There is a positive correlation between plasma catestatin levels and Rentrop scores (r = 0.40, p = 0.013) among the patients with CTO. However, there is no correlations between plasma catestatin levels and VEGF (r = -0.06, p = 0.744). In the multiple linear regression models, plasma catestatin level was one of the independent factors of coronary collateral development after adjustment for confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma catestatin was associated with coronary collateral developments. It may be a useful biomarker for coronary collateral development and potential target for therapeutic angiogenesis in patients with CTO.

Factors influencing the functional significance in intermediate coronary stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the influencing factors of the functional significance determined by fractional flow reserve (FFR) in intermediate coronary artery stenosis. METHODS: The study enrolled 143 patients with 203 intermediate coronary lesions. Pressure-derived FFR of these lesions was gained at maximal hyperemia induced by intravenous adenosine infusion. An FFR < 0.80 was considered as abnormal functional significance. Anatomic parameters at the lesion sites were obtained by off-line quantitative coronary angiography analysis (QCA). The predictive value of the demographic characteristics and anatomic parameters for FFR in these intermediate lesions was assessed using multiple linear and binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Overall, FFR < 0.8 was found in 70 (34%) of the total 203 intermediate coronary lesions. FFR values were positively correlated with QCA-measured minimum lumen diameters (MLD, r = 0.372, P = 0.000) and the reference vessel diameters (RVD, r = 0.217, P = 0.002) were negatively correlated with percent area stenosis (AS, r = -0.251, P = 0.000) and percent diameter stenosis (DS, r = -0.210, P = 0.000). Age, MLD and the lesion location in different coronary arteries were the independent determinants of FFR < 0.8. CONCLUSIONS: MLD can predict the functional significance of intermediate coronary stenosis, while age and the lesion location in different coronary arteries should be taken into account as important influencing factors of FFR values.

Comparison of long-term outcomes between older Asian and white patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: findings from CRUSADE-CMS database.

BACKGROUND: In the United States as well as globally, Asians are a growing proportion of patients presenting with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), yet little is known about their longitudinal outcomes. METHODS: We linked Centers for Medicare & Medicaid claims data to detailed clinical data for 37,702 NSTEMI patients ≥65 years old treated at 444 CRUSADE hospitals between 2003 and 2006 to examine longitudinal outcomes. We used Cox proportional hazards modeling to compared outcomes between Asian and white patients, adjusting for differences in baseline patient characteristics. RESULTS: Compared with white NSTEMI patients, Asians (n = 307) were younger; more frequently had hypertension, diabetes and renal insufficiency; and were less likely to have had a prior myocardial infarction, but there were no significant differences in rates of cardiac catheterization or revascularization during the index hospitalization between the 2 groups. At 30 days, Asian and white patients had a similar risk-adjusted mortality (9.5% vs 9.9%, P = .77), but by 1 year, Asian patients had a significantly lower risk-adjusted mortality (20.9% vs 24.5%, adjusted hazard ratio 0.64, 95% CI 0.50-0.82). Compared with white patients, Asians also had a lower adjusted 1-year cardiovascular readmission risk (37.1% vs 42.1%, adjusted hazard ratio 0.79, 95% CI 0.64-0.98). CONCLUSIONS: Despite similar inhospital treatments, Asian NSTEMI patients had lower mortality and cardiovascular readmission risks at 1 year, compared with white patients. Further study is needed to determine whether intrinsic ethnic differences or differential longitudinal prevention strategies explain these differences in long-term outcomes.

Serum erythropoietin: a useful biomarker for coronary collateral development and potential target for therapeutic angiogenesis among the patients with coronary chronic total occlusion.

The study was to investigate the association of endogenous erythropoietin (EPO) and coronary collateral development. Forty-nine patients (31 with chronic total occlusion (CTO), 18 with normal coronary artery) were consecutively enrolled. The serum EPO was positively related with Rentrop class. Increased serum EPO was one of the independent predictors of good collateral development (odds ratio 1.31; p = 0.025). A significantly positive correlation was seen between serum EPO and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels (r = 0.96, p < 0.001). Circulatory EPO may be a useful biomarker for coronary collateral development and potential target for therapeutic angiogenesis in patients with CTO.

Impact of uncontrolled blood pressure on diagnostic accuracy of coronary flow reserve for detecting significant coronary stenosis in hypertensive patients.

BACKGROUND: Impaired coronary flow reserve (CFR) in patients with hypertension may be caused by epicardial coronary stenosis or microvascular dysfunction. Antihypertensive treatment has been shown to improve coronary microvascular dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) on diagnostic accuracy of CFR for detecting significant coronary stenosis. METHODS: A total of 98 hypertensive patients scheduled for coronary angiography (CAG) due to chest pain were studied. Of them, 45 patients had uncontrolled BP (defined as the office BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) in general hypertensive patients, or ≥ 130/80 mmHg in hypertensive individuals with diabetes mellitus), and the remaining 53 patients had well-controlled BP. CFR was measured in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) during adenosine triphosphate-induced hyperemia by non-invasive transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE) within 48 hours prior to CAG. Significant LAD stenosis was defined as > 70% luminal narrowing. Diagnostic accuracy of CFR for detecting significant coronary stenosis was analyzed with a receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS: CFR was significantly lower in patients with uncontrolled BP than in those with well-controlled BP (2.1 ± 0.6 vs. 2.6 ± 0.9, P < 0.01). Multivariate linear regression analysis of the study showed that the value of CFR was independently associated with the angiographically determined degree of LAD stenosis (ß = -0.445, P < 0.0001) and the presence of uncontrolled BP (ß = -0.272, P = 0.014). With a receiver operating characteristic analysis, CFR < 2.2 was the optimal cut-off value for detecting LAD stenosis in all hypertensive patients (AUC 0.83, 95%CI 0.75 - 0.91) with a sensitivity of 75%, a specificity of 78%, and an accuracy of 77%. A significant reduction of diagnostic specificity was observed in patients with uncontrolled BP compared with those with well-controlled BP (67% vs. 93%, P = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: CFR measurement by TTDE is valuable in the diagnosis of significant coronary stenosis in hypertensive patients. However, the diagnostic specificity is reduced in patients with uncontrolled BP.

Job stress and coronary heart disease: a case-control study using a Chinese population.

OBJECTIVES: This study was to examine the association between job stress and coronary heart disease (CHD) in a Chinese population. METHODS: The 388 participants aged 30 to 70 yr who received coronary angiography for suspected or known ischemic heart disease were enrolled in this series, which included 292 CHD cases and 96 controls. The job stress before CHD onset was measured by the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) model. RESULTS: In the results, compared with the baseline, high ERI, high extrinsic effort or high overcommitment increased the risk of CHD with odds ratios (OR) of 2.8, 2.7 and 2.8 respectively after adjustment for the traditional CHD risk factors, such as age, gender, primary hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, smoking, body mass index, CHD family history, educational level, and marital status. The combination of high ERI and high overcommitment led to the highest risk of CHD with adjusted OR 5.5. However, high reward reduced the risk of CHD with an adjusted OR of 0.4 in comparison to low reward. Dose-response relationships were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Job stress evaluated by the ERI model significantly increased the risk of CHD, and it may be an important risk factor independent of the traditional risk factors of CHD in the Chinese population.