Response by Sex in Patient-Centered Outcomes With Baroreflex Activation Therapy in Systolic Heart Failure.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess sex differences in the efficacy and safety of baroreflex activation therapy (BAT) in the BeAT-HF (Baroreflex Activation Therapy for Heart Failure) trial. BACKGROUND: Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) alone (control group) or BAT plus GDMT. METHODS: Pre-specified subgroup analyses including change from baseline to 6 months in 6-min walk distance (6MWD), quality of life (QoL) assessed using the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLWHQ), New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were conducted in men versus women. RESULTS: Fifty-three women and 211 men were evaluated. Women had similar baseline NT-proBNP levels, 6MWDs, and percentage of subjects with NYHA functional class III symptoms but poorer MLWHQ scores (mean 62 ± 22 vs. 50 ± 24; p = 0.01) compared with men. Women experienced significant improvement from baseline to 6 months with BAT plus GDMT relative to GDMT alone in MLWHQ score (-34 ± 27 vs. -9 ± 23, respectively; p < 0.01), 6MWD (44 ± 45 m vs. -32 ± 118 m; p < 0.01), and improvement in NYHA functional class (70% vs. 27%; p < 0.01), similar to the responses seen in men, with no significant difference in safety. Women receiving BAT plus GDMT had a significant decrease in NT-proBNP (-43% vs. 7% with GDMT alone; difference -48%; p < 0.01), while in men this decrease was -15% versus 2%, respectively (difference -17%; p = 0.08), with an interaction p value of 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Women in BeAT-HF had poorer baseline QoL than men but demonstrated similar improvements with BAT in 6MWD, QoL, and NYHA functional class. Women had a significant improvement in NT-proBNP, whereas men did not. (Baroreflex Activation Therapy for Heart Failure [BeAT-HF]; NCT02627196).

The Diagnostic Significance of a Mucocele of the Appendix.

Appendiceal mucoceles are rare lesions with a variable clinical presentation often identified incidentally on imaging or at laparotomy/laparoscopy for an unrelated diagnosis. Mucocele of the appendix may be a benign or malignant process, making early recognition based on symptoms and key radiographic characteristics of the utmost importance for optimal patient management. Here we present the case of a patient presenting with non-specific abdominal complaints suffering from appendiceal mucocele perforation due to low-grade mucinous adenocarcinoma.

Long-term localized high-frequency electric stimulation within the myocardial infarct: effects on matrix metalloproteinases and regional remodeling.

BACKGROUND: Disruption of the balance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and MMP inhibitors (TIMPs) within a myocardial infarct (MI) contributes to left ventricular wall thinning and changes in regional stiffness at the MI region. This study tested the hypothesis that a targeted regional approach through localized high-frequency stimulation (LHFS) using low-amplitude electric pulses instituted within a formed MI scar would alter MMP/TIMP levels and prevent MI thinning. METHODS AND RESULTS: At 3 weeks after MI, pigs were randomized for LHFS (n=7; 240 bpm, 0.8 V, 0.05-ms pulses) or were left unstimulated (UNSTIM; n=10). At 4 weeks after MI, left ventricular wall thickness (echocardiography; 0.89+/-0.07 versus 0.67+/-0.08 cm; P<0.05) and regional stiffness (piezoelectric crystals; 14.70+/-2.08 versus 9.11+/-1.24; P<0.05) were higher with LHFS than in UNSTIM. In vivo interstitial MMP activity (fluorescent substrate cleavage; 943+/-59 versus 1210+/-72 U; P<0.05) in the MI region was lower with LHFS than in UNSTIM. In the MI region, MMP-2 levels were lower and TIMP-1 and collagen levels were higher with LHFS than in UNSTIM (all P<0.05). Transforming growth factor-beta receptor 1 and phosphorylated SMAD-2/3 levels within the MI region were higher with LHFS than in UNSTIM. Electric stimulation (4 Hz) of isolated fibroblasts resulted in reduced MMP-2 and MT1-MMP levels but increased TIMP-1 levels compared with unstimulated fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS: These unique findings demonstrate that LHFS of the MI region altered left ventricular wall thickness and material properties, likely as a result of reduced regional MMP activity. Thus, LHFS may provide a novel means to favorably modify left ventricular remodeling after MI.