Demonstration of subclinical left ventricular electrical and mechanical dysfunction in overweight subjects by frontal QRS-T angle and 3D-speckle tracking echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Overweightness is a considerable step in the process leading to obesity. There are no sufficient studies on the effect of cardiomyopathy defined in obese patients about overweight subjects. We thought that it may be useful to examine the myocardial involvement in overweight individuals electro-mechanically with more sensitive techniques before the development of obesity cardiomyopathy. AIM: The aim of the present study was to demonstrate whether or not there are subclinical left ventricular (LV) electrical and mechanical dysfunctions in overweight patients using frontal QRS-T (fQRS-T) angle (electrically) and 3D-speckle tracking echocardiography (mechanically). METHODS: A total of 80 overweight patients and 80 age- and sex-matched normal weight individuals were enrolled into the study. 3D-STE examinations of the patients were performed. Electrocardiographic recordings were obtained for fQRS-T angle assessment. RESULTS: The LV-GLS and LV-GCS were significantly depressed in the overweight group than in the normal weight group (-14.5 ± 3.4 vs. -21.7 ± 3.6, p < .001; -15.2 ± 4.6 vs. -24.3 ± 4.8, p < .001, respectively). The fQRS-T angle was found to be increased in the overweight group (142.5 ± 39.2 vs. 114.7 ± 43.5, p = < .001). Statistically significant positive linear correlations were observed between BMI with LV-GLS, LV-GCS, and fQRS-T angle. LV-GLS and LV-GCS were found to be disrupted linearly as BMI increased (r = .718 for BMI and LV-GLS, r = .653 for BMI and LV-GCS). As BMI increased, it was found that the fQRS-T angle increased (r = .692 for BMI and fQRS-T angle). CONCLUSION: Our results support that, overweight individuals, despite their being apparently healthy, may have subclinical LV myocardial mechanical and electrical dysfunction.

Evaluation of left atrial and left ventricular functions with 3D speckle-tracking echocardiography in patients with coronary artery tortuosity.

BACKGROUND: Tortuosity in the coronary arteries is a very common entity encountered during angiography. The effect of coronary artery tortuosity (CAT) on the myocardium has not been completely investigated. The aim of the current study was to assess the effects of CAT on left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) myocardial functions by 3D speckle-tracking echocardiography (3D-STE). METHODS: Seventy-five patients with CAT and 80 age- and gender-matched controls who proved to have normal coronary angiograms (CAG) were enrolled into the study. Following CAG, the 2D images were obtained first, and then 3D images were obtained for strain analysis. RESULTS: The LAS-r, LAS-active, and LV-GLS were significantly depressed in the CAT (+) group (p < .001, p < .001, p = .012, respectively). The multivariate regression models demonstrated that LAS-r (p < .001), LAS-active (p = .009), and LV-GLS (p = .024) were found to be independent factors predicting CAT. CONCLUSION: The current study is the first to focus on the assessing both LA and LV myocardial dynamics in CAT (+) patients by strain echocardiography. The results of our study support the patients with CAT may have subclinical LA and LV myocardial involvements.

The predictive value of electrocardiographic polarization parameters on appropriate ICD shock in primary prevention heart failure patients.

OBJECT: The effect of frontal QRS-T angle, Tp-e and Tp-e/QT ratio on cardiac events have been shown in many studies. In this study, we aimed to determine the prognostic value of frontal QRS-T angle, TPe and Tp-e/QT ratio on ICD shock in patients who had ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) implanted due to heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). MATERIAL AND METHOD: 158 patients with HFrEF who had previous ICD implantation were retrospectively analyzed. 27 patients were found to have an appropriate shock. Frontal QRS-T angle, Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT ratio were calculated by evaluating the basal ECG records of the patients. Comparisons of these arrhythmogenic predictors were made in patients with and without ICD shock at follow-up. RESULT: When 158 patients with previous ICD implantation were analyzed in two groups with and without ICD shock, the number of patients with frontal QRS-T angle >120°, Tp-e interval > 105 ms, Tp-e/QT > 0.2 in the shock group (n: 27) was found to be high with a different significance (p:<0.01, p:<0.01, p:<0.01). There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding other ECG parameters such as QRS duration, QT interval, PR interval, fragmented QRS and positive T wave. In addition, more amiodarone use was observed in the shock group, and more hyperlipidemia cases were observed in the non-shocked group (p:0.01; p:<0.01). CONCLUSION: Increased frontal QRS-T angle, Tp-e interval, and Tp-e/QT ratio are arrhythmogenic parameters and predict appropriate ICD shock.

PrevAleNce and Associated factors of inappropriaTe dosing of direct Oral anticoaguLants In pAtients with Atrial Fibrillation: the ANATOLIA-AF Study.

PURPOSE: Inappropriate dosing of direct oral anticoagulants is associated with an increased risk of stroke, systemic embolism, major bleeding, cardiovascular hospitalization, and death in patients with atrial fibrillation. The main goal of the study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of inappropriate dosing of direct oral anticoagulants in real-life settings. METHODS: This study was a multicenter, cross-sectional, observational study that included 2004 patients with atrial fibrillation. The study population was recruited from 41 cardiology outpatient clinics between January and May 2021. The main criteria for inappropriate direct oral anticoagulant dosing were defined according to the recommendations of the European Heart Rhythm Association. RESULTS: The median age of the study population was 72 years and 58% were women. Nine-hundred and eighty-seven patients were prescribed rivaroxaban, 658 apixaban, 239 edoxaban, and 120 dabigatran. A total of 498 patients (24.9%) did not receive the appropriate dose of direct oral anticoagulants. In a logistic regression model, advanced age, presence of chronic kidney disease and permanent atrial fibrillation, prescription of reduced doses of direct oral anticoagulants or edoxaban treatment, concomitant use of amiodarone treatment, and non-use of statin treatment were significantly associated with potentially inappropriate dosing of direct oral anticoagulants. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that the prevalence of inappropriate direct oral anticoagulant dosing according to the European Heart Rhythm Association recommendations was 24.9% in patients with atrial fibrillation. Several demographic and clinical factors were associated with the inappropriate prescription of direct oral anticoagulants.

Evaluation of left atrial and left ventricular functions in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome before and after radiofrequency catheter ablation using three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is one of the most common congenital cardiac abnormalities among ventricular pre-excitation syndromes. Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) treatment of accessory pathways (APs) in WPW patients is an established curative therapy restoring normal atrioventricular conduction. We have not encountered any studies evaluating both the LA and LV functions of these patients before and after RFCA with three dimensional-speckle tracking echocardiography (3D-speckle tracking echocardiography (STE)). AIM: The purpose of the current study was to assess the LA and LV functions in patients with WPW syndrome before and after RFCA using 3D-STE. METHODS: A total of 21 patients with WPW syndrome who had been scheduled for RFCA were prospectively recruited for this study. 3D-STE examinations of the patients were performed 12-24 h before ablation and 1 month after ablation. RESULTS: The LV-global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) and LV-global circumferential strain (LV-GCS) were significantly depressed in the pre-RFCA WPW group than in the control group (-14.3 ± 2.1 vs. -21.5 ± 2.2, p < .001; -12.6 ± 1.8 vs. -20.4 ± 1.8, p < .001, respectively). The left atrial strain-reservoir (LAS-r) and LAS-active were significantly decreased in the pre-RFCA WPW group than in the control group (31.9 ± 2.4 vs. 48.8 ± 2.6, p < .001; 11.7 ± 2 vs. 26.5 ± 2.1, p < .001, respectively). The LV-GLS, LV-GCS, LAS-r, and LAS-active values improved after RFCA compared to before. CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicated that there are subclinical impairments in LV and LA myocardial dynamics in the apparently healthy WPW patients, and these deteriorations improve after RFCA of AP.

Association between Circulating Omentin-1 Levels and Aortic Valve Sclerosis.

Background: Aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) is characterized by thickening of the valve leaflets accompanied by increased echogenicity and calcification without significant limitations in valve movements. Omentin-1 is a glycoprotein of the adiponectin family released from visceral adipose tissue, and it can be used as a biomarker of atherosclerosis, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. No studies have demonstrated any relationship between AVS and omentin-1 in the literature. We aimed to explore the association of serum omentin-1 levels with AVS. Methods: Eighty-six patients with AVS and 92 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled into the study. The baseline clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded. Conventional 2-dimensional echocardiography was performed. Omentin-1 levels were measured. Results: The mean omentin-1 level was significantly lower in the AVS (+) group compared to the control group (78.16 ± 44.95 vs. 163.57 ± 59.84 ng/mL, p < 0.001). Omentin-1 [odds ratio (OR) = 3.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.88-5.39, p < 0.001,] and LDL-C (OR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.33-2.16, p = 0.015) were found to be independent predictors of AVS in multivariate logistic regression analysis. An omentin-1 level of < 92.45 ng/mL had 90.5% sensitivity and 71.4% specificity for the prediction of AVS (area under curve: 0.697, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our results indicated that a lower omentin-1 level was associated with an increased risk of AVS. We suggest that omentin-1 could be used as a treatment target as well as to predict AVS.

Gender-related clinical and management differences in patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

AIM: Gender-related differences have been described in the clinical characteristics and management of patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, published data are conflictive in this regard. METHODS: We investigated differences in clinical and management variables between male and female patients from the ATA study, a prospective, multicentre, observational study that included 1462 outpatients with chronic HFrEF between January and June 2019. RESULTS: Study population was predominantly male (70.1%). In comparison to men, women with chronic HFrEF were older (66 ± 11 years vs 69 ± 12 years, P < .001), suffered more hospitalisations and presented more frequently with NYHA class III or IV symptoms. Ischaemic heart disease was more frequent in men, whereas anaemia, thyroid disease and depression were more frequent in women. No difference was seen between genders in the use rate of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, beta-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, or ivabradine, or in the proportion of patients achieving target doses of these drugs. Regarding device therapies, men were more often treated with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and women received more cardiac resynchronisation therapy. CONCLUSION: In summary, although management seemed to be equivalent between genders, women tended to present with more symptoms, require hospitalisation more frequently and have different comorbidities than men. These results highlight the importance of gender-related differences in HFrEF and call for further research to clarify the causes of these disparities. Gender-specific recommendations should be included in future guidelines in HFrEF.

Predictive role of Frontal QRS-T angle and Selvester QRS Score in determining angiographic slow flow phenomenon following percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction.

AIM: Slow flow (SF) that develops after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is significantly associated with poor prognosis in Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (Non-STEMI) patients. Increased Selvester QRS score and Frontal QRS-T angle [f(QRS-T)] are related to adverse cardiovascular outcomes. We aimed to investigate the predictive role of the Selvester QRS score and f(QRS-T) for the development of post-PCI SF in patients with Non-STEMI. METHOD AND RESULTS: In a retrospective study, 210 patients with Non-STEMI were divided into two groups as SF (29) and Non-SF (181) according to their TIMI coronary flow grade. For all patients the Selvester QRS score and f(QRS-T) were calculated from automatic electrocardiography (ECG) reports. The mean age of the study population was 63 (55-75) years and 102 (68.6%) of patients were male. The Selvester QRS score and f(QRS-T) were higher in the SF group than in the Non-SF group [(5[3-8], 3[2-5]); (67° [42°-88°], 39° [24°-59°]), respectively, all p <0.01]. In a logistic regression analysis, the Selvester QRS score (OR = 4,862; 95% (CI) = 1,131-20,904, p =0.03) and f(QRS-T) (OR = 5,489; 95% (CI)= 11,433-21,034, p =0.01) were found independent predictors of post-PCI SF in Non-STEMI patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic values of the Selvester QRS score [86% sensitivity; 44% specificity; cut off 2; (AUC, 0.693)] and f(QRS-T) [62% sensitivity; 73% specificity; cut off 58°; (AUC, 0.778)]. CONCLUSION: The Selvester QRS score and f(QRS-T), both easy-to-calculate ECG parameters, are predictors of post-PCI SF in Non-STEMI patients.

Coexistence of increased arterial stiffness and interatrial block in overweight subjects.

BACKGROUND: Interatrial block (IAB) is an electrical conduction delay between the right and left atrium and is associated with some cardiovascular disorders. Arterial stiffness is a useful prognostic marker for cardiovascular events. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the coexistence of increased arterial stiffness and IAB in overweight subjects. METHODS: A total of 110 overweight people were enrolled (56 subjects with IAB, and 54 age- and gender-matched subjects without IAB) into the study. Surface 12-lead standard ECGs were recorded. I.E.M. Mobil-O-Graph ambulatory blood pressure monitor device was used to assess the arterial stiffness. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 54.1 ± 11.5 years, and 53.6% were male. PWV and Aix were significantly higher in IAB (+) group than IAB (-) group (9.34 ± 1.5 vs. 7.86 ± 1.3, p < .001; 29.18 ± 11.2 vs. 22.75 ± 10.4, p < .001, respectively), and also, positive linear correlation was observed between arterial stiffness parameters and P-wave duration (r = .758 for PWV; r = .682 for Aix, respectively). CONCLUSION: The present study is the first to focus on evaluating the relationship between the presence of IAB and arterial stiffness in overweight subjects. If there is a coexistence of increased arterial stiffness and IAB in overweight subjects, it should be considered as requiring clinically closer follow-up.

Increase in interventricular septum thickness may be the first sign of cardiovascular change in kidney donors.

BACKGROUND: Because of the inadequate number of deceased kidney donors, living kidney donation remains an important issue for kidney transplantation. Previous studies have shown that living donation does not differ life expectancy and progression to end-stage renal disease compared with the normal population. In this study, we investigated short-term cardiovascular changes after donor nephrectomy. METHODS: Thirty-four patients who underwent donor nephrectomy between January 2015 and July 2015 at Ege University Renal Transplantation Unit were included in the study. Arterial stiffness, multifrequency bioimpedance analysis, renal ARFI elastography, and echocardiography performed prior to the donor nephrectomy and 6 months after nephrectomy. RESULTS: A total of 34 kidney donors were enrolled in this study. Twenty donors were female (59%) and 14 donors were male (41%). The pathological evaluation of donor kidneys using implantation renal biopsy sample revealed mean Karpinski Renal Score of 1.5 and the mean glomerulosclerosis ratio was 5% for all donated kidneys. Arterial stiffness, systolic and diastolic blood pressure measures, body fluid composition, and left atrial size did not change significantly during the follow-up. However, interventricular septum thickness of donors increased by 1 mm during a 6-month period (9.6 mm vs 10.6 mm, P = .002). CONCLUSION: We observed an increase in interventricular septum thickness in kidney donors during a 6-month follow-up. In order to evaluate the net effect of this change on donor morbidity, prospective studies investigating an increased number of donors with long-term follow-up should be needed.

Evaluation of electrocardiographic ventricular repolarization variables in patients with newly diagnosed COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a newly recognized infectious disease that has spread rapidly. COVID-19 has been associated with a number of cardiovascular complications, including arrhythmias. The mechanism of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with COVID-19 is uncertain. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ventricular repolarization by using the Tp-e interval, QT dispersion, Tp-e/QT ratio, and Tp-e/QTc ratio as candidate markers of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with newly diagnosed COVID-19. In addition, the relationship between the repolarization parameters and the CRP (C-reactive protein) was investigated. METHODS: 75 newly diagnosed COVID-19 patients, 75 age and sex matched healthy subjects were included in the study between 20th March 2020 and 10th April 2020. The risk of ventricular arrhythmias was evaluated by calculating the electrocardiographic Tp-e and QT interval, Tp-e dispersion, corrected QT(QTc), QT dispersion (QTd), corrected QTd, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios. CRP values were also measured in patients with newly diagnosed COVID-19. RESULTS: Tp-e interval (80.7 ±â€¯4.6 vs. 70.9 ±â€¯4.8; p < .001), Tp-e / QT ratio (0.21 ±â€¯0.01 vs. 0.19 ±â€¯0.01; p < .001) and Tp-e/QTc ratio (0.19 ±â€¯0.01 vs.0.17 ±â€¯0.01; p < .001) were significantly higher in patients with newly diagnosed COVID-19 than the control group. There was a significant positive correlation between Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QTc ratio and CRP in patients with newly diagnosed COVID-19 (rs = 0.332, p = .005, rs = 0.397, p < .001 consecutively). During their treatment with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), azithromycin and favipiravir, ventricular tachycardia episodes were observed in in two COVID-19 patients during their hospitalization in the intensive care unit. CONCLUSION: Our study showed for the first time in literature that the Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT ratio, and Tp-e/QTc ratio, which are evaluated electrocardiographically in patients with newly diagnosed COVID-19, were prolonged compared with normal healthy individuals. A positive correlation was determined between repolarization parameters and CRP. We believe that pre-treatment evaluation of repolarization parameters in newly diagnosed COVID-19 would be beneficial for predicting ventricular arrhythmia risk.

Cardiac autonomic dysfunctions are recovered with vitamin D replacement in apparently healthy individuals with vitamin D deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D (VitD) has important prohormone functions in a wide range of clinical processes. Although it is known that individuals with VitD deficiency have cardiac autonomic dysfunction, there are no convincing data regarding the effect of VitD replacement. We aimed to evaluate the impact of VitD replacement on cardiac autonomic dysfunction. METHODS: Fifty-two apparently healthy subjects with VitD deficiency and 50 healthy control subjects were enrolled. Prior to VitD replacement, 24-hr Holter recordings were obtained, and HRV parameters were recorded. VitD levels were measured 2 months later after replacement, and control 24-hr Holter recordings were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 36.04 ± 7.6 years, and 53.9% were female. SDNN (68.58 ± 13.53 vs. 121.02 ± 27.45 ms, p = .001), SDANN (95.96 ± 22.26 vs. 166.48 ± 32.97 ms, p = .001), RMSSD (23 vs. 59 ms, p < .001), and PNN50 (6.5% vs. 36%, p < .001) were significantly lower in patients with VitD deficiency compared with the control group. HRV parameters were improved after VitD replacement [SDNN (68.58 ± 13.53 to 119.87 ± 28.28 ms, p < .001), SDANN (95.96 ± 22.26 to 164.44 ± 33.90 ms, p < .001), RMSSD (23 to 58 ms, p < .001), and PNN50 (6.5 to 33%, p < .001)]. CONCLUSION: The present study suggested that VitD deficiency was significantly correlated with impaired cardiac autonomic functions assessed by parameters of HRV, and cardiac autonomic dysfunction improved after VitD replacement in otherwise apparently healthy individuals.

Assessment of the impact of isolated coronary artery ectasia on left ventricular functions with 3D speckle-tracking echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is an angiographic definition of coronary artery pathology in which the diameter of the ectatic segment measures more than 1.5 times the diameter of an adjacent healthy reference segment. No previous study has reported on the use of 3D-STE for assessing the left ventricular (LV) functions in patients with isolated CAE. As a result of this, we aimed to evaluate the effects of isolated CAE on LV functions using 3D-STE in the present study. METHODS: Ninety-one patients with isolated CAE and 90 controls who proved to have normal coronary angiograms were enrolled to the study. 3D-STE was performed and GLS, GCS, GAS, and GRS were obtained for every subject after coronary angiography. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 61.75 ± 10.02 years, and 71.8% were male. GLS, GCS, GAS, and GRS were significantly depressed in the isolated CAE group than in the control group (P < .001; P < .001; P = .001; and P = .001, respectively). ROC analyses were performed to find out the ideal strain cut off values to predict the presence of isolated CAE. A GLS value of >-16 has 92.1 % sensitivity, 88.5 % specificity; and a GCS value of >-20 has 86.7 % sensitivity, 89.2 % specificity to detect the presence of isolated CAE. CONCLUSION: Isolated CAE has a considerable negative effect on LV functions as evaluated by 3D-strain parameters, and 3D-STE could be an effective method to detect early stage myocardial impairment in patients with isolated CAE.

3D-speckle tracking echocardiography for assessment of coronary artery disease severity in stable angina pectoris.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Stable angina pectoris is a common disease that may cause disability. Some noninvasive new methods can be useful for the detection of early-stage coronary artery disease. The relationship between coronary artery disease (CAD) severity and resting 3-dimensional-speckle tracking echocardiography (3D-STE) in stable angina pectoris patients was evaluated in this study. METHODS: One hundred and twenty consecutive patients between 18-80 years of age and without a history of CAD to whom elective coronary angiography was planned after positive stress test or myocardial perfusion scintigraphy were enrolled in the study. 3D-STE was performed and global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS), global radial strain (GRS), and global area strain (GAS) were measured before coronary angiography. A Gensini score of ≥20 was accepted as critical CAD. Correlation between Gensini scores and 3D-STE results were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean age was 60.7 ± 10.01 years, and 55% of the patient population were male. There were not any significant differences between critical CAD and noncritical CAD groups for age, gender, history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction. Mean GLS was -12, GCS was -18.8, GRS was 33.4, GAS was -28.9, and mean Gensini score was 18.8. GLS and all other strain parameters were significantly worse in patients with critical CAD group compared with noncritical CAD group and also positive linear correlation was observed between Gensini score and all measured strain parameters (r = 0.568, P < 0.001 for Gensini score and GLS; r = 0.617, P < 0.001 for Gensini score and GAS). A GLS value of >-10 has 88.9% sensitivity and 92.9% specificity; A GAS value of >-21 has 97.2% sensitivity and 88.1% specificity to detect critical CAD. CONCLUSIONS: 3D-STE is a noninvasive and handy parameter to detect subclinical left ventricular dysfunction and global strain values were significantly correlated with CAD severity. GAS has the sensitivity of 97.2% and specificity of 88.1% to detect critical CAD. Adding 3D strain echocardiography to exercise test or myocardial perfusion scintigraphy might increase sensitivity to detect critical CAD in clinical practice.

Screening Tests Predicting Cancer Metastasis in the Etiology of Pericardial Effusion: HALP Score and PNI. / Testes de Triagem Prevendo Metástase de Câncer na Etiologia do Derrame Pericárdico: HALP Score e PNI.

BACKGROUND: Cancer screening is absolutely necessary in patients with pericardial effusion, given that cancer is one of the most serious diseases in the etiology of pericardial effusion. In previous studies, it was stated that the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII); the prognostic nutrition index (PNI); and the hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, platelet (HALP) score can produce scores related to cancer. OBJECTIVES: This study began considering that these scoring systems could predict cancer in the etiology of patients with pericardial effusion. METHODS: This study produced a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent pericardiocentesis between 2006 and 2022. Pericardiocentesis was performed in a total of 283 patients with moderate-to-large pericardial effusion or pericardial tamponade within the specified period. HALP, PNI, and SII scores were calculated according to the peripheral venous blood taken before the pericardiocentesis procedure. The statistical significance level was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: The HALP score proved to be 0.173 (0.125-0.175) in cancer patients and 0.32 (0.20-0.49) in non-cancer patients (p<0.001). The PNI score proved to be 33.1±5.6 in cancer patients and 39.8±4.8 in non-cancer patients (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The HALP score and PNI proved to be easy and fast cancer screening tests that can predict cancer metastasis in the etiology of patients with pericardial effusion.

FUNDAMENTO: A triagem do câncer é absolutamente necessária em pacientes com derrame pericárdico, pois o câncer é uma das doenças mais graves em sua etiologia. Estudos anteriores indicaram que o índice de inflamação imunológica sistêmica (IIS), o índice prognóstico nutricional (PNI) e o escore de hemoglobina, albumina, linfócitos e plaquetas (HALP) podem ser escores relacionados ao câncer. OBJETIVOS: Este estudo foi iniciado considerando que esses sistemas de pontuação poderiam prever o câncer na etiologia de pacientes com derrame pericárdico. MÉTODOS: Os pacientes submetidos à pericardiocentese entre 2006 e 2022 foram analisados retrospectivamente. A pericardiocentese foi realizada em um total de 283 pacientes com derrame pericárdico ou tamponamento cardíaco de moderado a grande no período especificado. Os índices de HALP, PNI e IIS foram calculados do sangue venoso periférico retirado antes do procedimento de pericardiocentese. O nível de significância estatística foi aceito em p<0,05. RESULTADOS: O escore HALP foi de 0,173 (0,125-0,175) em pacientes com câncer. Detectou-se que em pacientes não oncológicos o escore foi de 0,32 (0,20-0,49; p<0,001). O escore de PNI foi de 33,1±5,6 em pacientes com câncer. Detectou-se que em pacientes não oncológicos o escore foi 39,8±4,8 (p<0,001). CONCLUSÃO: Os escores HALP e PNI são testes de triagem de câncer fáceis e rápidos que podem prever metástases de câncer na etiologia de pacientes com derrame pericárdico.

Ablation of Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia with Focal Cryoablation, Compared with Radiofrequency Ablation: Single-Center Experience. / Ablação de Taquicardia Reentrante Nodal Atrioventricular com Crioablação Focal, Comparada com Ablação por Radiofrequência: Experiência em Centro Único.

BACKGROUND: The ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) with cryoablation is an alternative to radiofrequency (RF) ablation in patients due to the low risk of total atrioventricular block. An increase in early-late recurrences after cryoablation is reported as an important disadvantage. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to compare the acute procedural success and the long-term recurrence rates of patients, with AVNRT who underwent methods. METHODS: 73 patients with AVNRT were included in the study: 32 with cryoablation and 41 with RF ablation. There was no statistically significant difference between acute procedural success in methods. The ablation procedure was performed by an operator experienced in arrhythmology. The choice of RF or cryoablation was made in the electrophysiology laboratory based on the material already available during the procedure. After the procedure, the patients were evaluated every 3 months for 2 years in polyclinic control. The significance level adopted in the statistical analysis was 5%. RESULTS: The 2 groups of patients were homogeneous. The fluoroscopy time (p<0.001) was shorter, but atrium-his (p=0.004) and his-ventricular (p=0.015) times were longer in the cryoablation group. There was no significant difference, in terms of acute procedural success, post-procedure jump without a single echo, and presence of echo and jump. CONCLUSIONS: Cryoablation requires less fluoroscopy time and is a safe non-inferior alternative to RF ablation in patients with AVNRT. The risk of AV block is a significant problem with the use of RF energy, making it less suitable for use in young and physically active patients.

FUNDAMENTO: A ablação da taquicardia por reentrada nodal atrioventricular (TRNAV) com crioablação é uma alternativa à ablação por radiofrequência (RF) em pacientes devido ao baixo risco de bloqueio atrioventricular total. Um aumento nas recorrências precoces e tardias após a crioablação é relatado como uma desvantagem importante. OBJETIVOS: Neste estudo, objetivamos comparar o sucesso do procedimento agudo e as taxas de recorrência em longo prazo de pacientes com TRNAV submetidos a métodos. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos no estudo 73 pacientes com TRNAV: 32 com crioablação e 41 com ablação por RF. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre o sucesso agudo do procedimento nos métodos. O procedimento de ablação foi realizado por operador com experiência em arritmologia. A escolha entre RF ou crioablação foi feita no laboratório de eletrofisiologia com base no material já disponível durante o procedimento. Após o procedimento, os pacientes foram avaliados a cada 3 meses durante 2 anos em controle policlínico. O nível de significância adotado na análise estatística foi de 5%. RESULTADOS: Os dois grupos de pacientes foram homogêneos. O tempo de fluoroscopia (p<0,001) foi menor, mas os tempos his-átrio (p=0,004) e his-ventricular (p=0,015) foram maiores no grupo crioablação. Não houve diferença significativa em termos de sucesso agudo do procedimento, salto pós-procedimento sem eco único e presença de eco e salto. CONCLUSÕES: A crioablação requer menos tempo de fluoroscopia e é uma alternativa segura e não inferior à ablação por RF em pacientes com TRNAV. O risco de bloqueio AV é um problema significativo com o uso de energia de RF, tornando-o menos adequado para uso em pacientes jovens e fisicamente ativos.

A New Scoring System for the Evaluation of Ibrutinib-Associated Arrhythmias in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: The ACEF Score

Objective: Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibition in cardiac tissue causes inhibition of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, which is responsible for protecting cardiac tissue during stress. Therefore, there is an increase in the risk of arrhythmia. This study explores the prediction of that risk with the Age-Creatinine-Ejection Fraction (ACEF) score as a simple scoring system based on the components of age, creatinine, and ejection fraction. Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and receiving ibrutinib treatment for at least 1 year were evaluated with echocardiography and Holter electrocardiography and the results were compared with a control group of CLL patients who had not received treatment. ACEF score was calculated with the formula age/left ventricular ejection fraction+1 (if creatinine >2.0 mg/dL). Results: When the arrhythmia development of the patients was evaluated, no statistically significant difference was found between the control and ibrutinib groups in terms of types of arrhythmias other than paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). PAF was found to occur at rates of 8% versus 22% (p=0.042) among ibrutinib non-users versus users. For patients using ibrutinib, an ACEF score of >1.21 predicted the development of PAF with 77% sensitivity and 75% specificity (area under the curve: 0.830, 95% confidence interval: 0.698-0.962, p<0.001). Conclusion: The ACEF score can be used as a risk score that predicts the development of PAF in patients diagnosed with CLL who are scheduled to start ibrutinib.