Revisiting the association between vitamin D deficiency and active tuberculosis: A prospective case-control study in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: To revisit the association between vitamin D deficiency (VDD, defined as serum 25(OH)D < 20 ng/ml) and incident active tuberculosis (TB), after two potentially underpowered randomized trials showed statistically non-significant 13%-22% decrease in TB incidence in vitamin D supplementation groups. METHODS: We prospectively conducted an age/sex-matched case-control study that accounting for body-mass index (BMI), smoking, and other confounding factors to examine the association between VDD and active TB among non-HIV people in Taiwan (latitude 24°N), a high-income society which continues to have moderate TB burden. RESULTS: We enrolled 62 people with incident active TB and 248 people in control group. The TB case patients had a significantly higher proportion of VDD compared to the control group (51.6% vs 29.8%, p = 0.001). The 25(OH)D level was also significantly lower in TB patients compared to control group (21.25 ± 8.93 ng/ml vs 24.45 ± 8.36 ng/ml, p = 0.008). In multivariable analysis, VDD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 3.03, p = 0.002), lower BMI (aOR: 0.81, p < 0.001), liver cirrhosis (aOR: 8.99, p = 0.042), and smoking (aOR: 4.52, p = 0.001) were independent risk factors for incident active TB. CONCLUSIONS: VDD is an independent risk factor for incident active TB. Future randomized trials examining the effect of vitamin D supplementation on TB incidence should focus on people with a low BMI or other risk factors to maximize the statistical power.

Clinical significance of quantitative assessment of right ventricular glucose metabolism in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

PURPOSE: Dynamic 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET can be used to quantitatively assess the rate of myocardial glucose uptake (MRGlu). The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance and prognostic value of right ventricular (RV) MRGlu in patients with coronary artery disease and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. METHODS: Patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 40% were consecutively enrolled for FDG PET between November 2012 and May 2017. Global LV and RV MRGlu (µmol/min/100 g) were analyzed. Outcome events were independently assessed using electronic medical records to determine hospitalization for revascularization, new-onset ischemic events, heart failure, cardiovascular, and all-cause death. Differences between LV and RV MRGlu and associations with clinical characteristics and echocardiographic data were evaluated. Associations among FDG PET findings and outcomes were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients (mean age 62.2 ± 12.7 years, male 85.3%, LVEF 19.3 ± 8.6%) were included for analysis. The mean glucose utilization ratio of RV-to-LV (RV/LV MRGlu) was 89.5 ± 264.9% (r = 0.77, p < 0.001). Positive correlations between RV MRGlu and maximal tricuspid regurgitation peak gradient (r = 0.28, p = 0.033) and peak tricuspid regurgitation jet velocity (r = 0.29, p = 0.021) were noted. LVEF was positively correlated with LV MRGlu (r = 0.27, p = 0.018), but negatively correlated with end-diastolic volume (r = - 0.37, p = 0.001), end-systolic volume (r = - 0.54, p < 0.001), and RV/LV MRGlu (r = - 0.40, p < 0.001). However, RV MRGlu was not well correlated with LVEF. Forty-three patients received revascularization procedures after FDG PET, and 13 patients died in a mean follow-up period of 496 ± 453 days (1-1788 days), including nine cardiovascular deaths. Higher RV and LV MRGlu values, LVEF ≤ 16% and LV end-diastolic volume ≥ 209 ml of gated-PET were associated with poor overall survival and cardiac outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with coronary artery disease and ischemic cardiomyopathy, RV glucose utilization was positively correlated with RV pressure overload, but not LVEF. Global LV and RV MRGlu, LVEF, and LV end-diastolic volume showed significant prognostic value.

Acute in-stent coronary thrombosis without ST change on electrocardiography: a case report and literature review.

Coronary stent thrombosis is a major complication which occurs in 0.5-1.9% of patients undergoing stent implantation. The case of a 65-year-old male who was admitted to the hospital due to chest pain is presented. A 12-lead electrocardiography showed complete AV block, acute inferior wall, and right ventricle myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography showed total occlusion of the right coronary artery. Successful stent implantation was performed with optimal angiographic result. However, the patient developed chest discomfort and 12-lead electrocardiography showed no ST change. Coronary angiography revealed acute in-stent thrombosis. Another stent implantation was done with optimal angiographic result. Although rarely reported, acute in-stent thrombosis can be life-threatening, especially in cases where there is no ST change. For this reason, careful history taking and prompt coronary angiography may be life-saving.

Trastuzumab (Herceptin)-associated cardiomyopathy presented as new onset of complete left bundle-branch block mimicking acute coronary syndrome: a case report and literature review.

Trastuzumab (Herceptin) is well documented in reducing suffering and mortality from breast cancer. The clinically most important side effect of Herceptin is cardiotoxicity, which is reported in 2.6% to 4.5% of patients receiving trastuzumab alone and in as many as 27% of patients when trastuzumab is combined with an anthracycline in metastatic disease. We reported the case of a 50-year-old woman who presented to our emergency department (ED) because of chest pain and shortness of breath. On physical examination, holosystolic murmur over apex could be heard. Pulmonary and abdominal examinations were unremarkable. Twelve-lead electrocardiography showed sinus tachycardia and new onset of complete left bundle-branch block. Emergent transthoracic echocardiography revealed generalized hypokinesia of left ventricle and akinesia over interventricular septum and apex. She subsequently underwent immediate coronary angiography that revealed normal coronary angiography, and left ventriculogram revealed generalized hypokinesia with severe left ventricle dysfunction with ejection fraction of 33%. During right heart catheterization and endomyocardial biopsy, cardiac tamponade developed and was successfully relieved by pericardial window. She was discharged event-free 3 weeks later with conservative treatment. Although new onset of complete left bundle-branch block in a patient with chest pain may be acute coronary syndrome, careful review of medicine history is mandatory to avoid unnecessary procedure and complications.