Renal Sympathetic Denervation for Hypertension.

Arterial hypertension is the most prevalent global modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Despite the availability of numerous pharmacologic treatments, many patients do not achieve guideline-recommended blood pressure targets. Therefore, renal sympathetic denervation (RDN), a process in which catheter-directed techniques are used to ablate portions of the renal artery to reduce sympathetic activity, has been extensively investigated as a complementary and nonpharmacologic approach for the treatment of arterial hypertension. This review seeks to discuss the pathophysiological rationale of this strategy, to survey its history and development, and to highlight the current clinical evidence and possible future directions of its employment. In sum, RDN has demonstrated itself to be a safe and well-tolerated endovascular intervention that can reliably contribute to improved blood pressure control and, perhaps ultimately, significant cardiovascular prognosis.

Rare Complication of Endoscopic Variceal Therapy: Wide-Complex Tachycardia Associated With Embolization of Glue and Coil.

We present the case of a woman with upper gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to gastric varices requiring endoscopic cyanoacrylate glue and coil embolization. The procedure was complicated by regular, wide-complex tachycardia, with further investigation revealing cardiopulmonary migration of the glue and coil. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).

An Unusual Cause of Shortness of Breath: Pulmonary Vein Stenosis After Surgical Mitral Valve Replacement.

A 79-year-old man with prior bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement presented with progressive shortness of breath and was found to have right upper pulmonary vein stenosis and paravalvular leak diagnosed with the use of multimodal imaging. The patient underwent balloon angioplasty, stenting of the pulmonary vein, and paravalvular leak closure with ultimate resolution of symptoms. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

Comparison of Risk Models in the Prediction of 30-Day Mortality in Acute Myocardial Infarction-Associated Cardiogenic Shock.

Background: There are numerous risk-prediction models applied to acute myocardial infarction-related cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS) patients to determine a more accurate prognosis and to assist in patient triage. There is wide heterogeneity among the risk models including the nature of predictors evaluated and their specific outcome measures. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the performance of 20 risk-prediction models in AMI-CS patients. Methods: Patients included in our analysis were admitted to a tertiary care cardiac intensive care unit with AMI-CS. Twenty risk-prediction models were computed utilizing vitals assessments, laboratory investigations, hemodynamic markers, and vasopressor, inotropic and mechanical circulatory support available from within the first 24 â€‹hours of presentation. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to assess the prediction of 30-day mortality. Calibration was assessed with a Hosmer-Lemeshow test. Results: Seventy patients (median age 63 years, 67% male) were admitted between 2017 and 2021. The models' area under the curve (AUC) ranged from 0.49 to 0.79, with the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II score having the most optimal discrimination of 30-day mortality (AUC: 0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.67-0.90), followed by the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-III score (AUC: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.84) and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-II score (AUC: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.55-0.80). All 20 risk scores demonstrated adequate calibration (p > 0.05 for all). Conclusions: Among the models tested in a data set of patients admitted with AMI-CS, the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II risk score model demonstrated the highest prognostic accuracy. Further investigations are required to improve the discriminative capabilities of these models or to establish new, more streamlined and accurate methods for mortality prognostication in AMI-CS.

Statins and Higher Diabetes Mellitus Risk: Incidence, Proposed Mechanisms, and Clinical Implications.

3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors are ubiquitously prescribed for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and treatment. However, the use of statins has been linked to the development of new-onset diabetes mellitus (NODM), which could possibly increase future CVD risk. This phenomenon necessitates a clear discussion of the possible etiologies of this relationship and its broader clinical consequences. We discuss the reported incidence of NODM in statin users through a rigorous review of data from metaanalyses of randomized control trials examining this association. We also highlight the various possible mechanisms responsible for the development of statin-induced diabetes mellitus. Finally, we examine the clinical implications of this effect on future CVD risk and identify specific patient factors that can be used for risk-stratification strategies. Data from 14 randomized control trials metaanalyses suggest a 9-33% higher risk of NODM with statin use. Several cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms, as well as lifestyle habits, have been identified as potential underlying factors responsible for this elevated risk. The principle mode of the diabetogenic action of statins is still unclear, though it is likely the result of a complex interplay of pancreatic and extrapancreatic effects. It is understood that patient populations with a greater predisposition to diabetes mellitus, and those with thicker epicardial adiposity are more at risk for the development of statin-induced NODM. Despite these observations, robust data from a variety of investigations suggest that the CVD preventative benefits of statin treatment significantly outweigh the risks associated with the development of NODM. Nevertheless, further study must better identify the causative mechanisms involved in this process, its natural history, and the unique factors that will help clinicians risk stratify and appropriately monitor patients on statin therapy.

Posteroanterior cervical transcutaneous spinal stimulation targets ventral and dorsal nerve roots.

OBJECTIVE: We aim to non-invasively facilitate activation of spared neural circuits after cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We developed and tested a novel configuration for cervical transcutaneous spinal stimulation (cTSS). METHODS: cTSS was delivered via electrodes placed over the midline at ~T2-T4 levels posteriorly and ~C4-C5 levels anteriorly. Electromyographic responses were measured in arm and hand muscles across a range of stimulus intensities. Double-pulse experiments were performed to assess homosynaptic post-activation depression (PAD). Safety was closely monitored. RESULTS: More than 170 cTSS sessions were conducted without major safety or tolerability issues. A cathode-posterior, 2 ms biphasic waveform provided optimal stimulation characteristics. Bilateral upper extremity muscle responses were easily obtained in subjects with SCI and ALS. Resting motor threshold at the abductor pollicis brevis muscle ranged from 5.5 to 51.0 mA. As stimulus intensity increased, response latencies to all muscles decreased. PAD was incomplete at lower stimulus intensities, and decreased at higher stimulus intensities. CONCLUSIONS: Posteroanterior cTSS has the capability to target motor neurons both trans-synaptically via large-diameter afferents and non-synaptically via efferent motor axons. SIGNIFICANCE: Posteroanterior cTSS is well tolerated and easily activates upper extremity muscles in individuals with SCI and ALS.

Statins and the potential for higher diabetes mellitus risk.

Introduction: 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) are widely used for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. Long-term use of statins has been linked to the development of diabetes mellitus (DM) which increases CVD risk. Areas covered: We discussed the reported incidence of DM in statin users, various possible mechanisms responsible for the development of DM and the clinical implications of this association on CVD risk. Relevant supporting literature was identified using MEDLINE/EMBASE search. Expert opinion: Data from available RCTs and observational studies suggest a 10-45% higher risk of new-onset DM with statin use compared to nonusers. Several cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms, and lifestyle changes have been studied and discussed as potential underlying mechanisms responsible for this elevated DM risk with statin therapy. The mode of the diabetogenic action of statins is still unclear and an interplay of pancreatic and peripheral effects in the pathogenesis of DM is a possibility. Despite these observations, the CVD preventative benefit of statin treatment outweighs the CVD risk associated with of development of new DM. There is a need for further research to identify the exact mechanisms involved so as to specifically target causative factors and individualize treatment.

The Benefits of Oral Rehydration on Orthostatic Intolerance in Children with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether equal volumes of oral rehydration solution (ORS) or intravenous (IV) saline provide similar improvements in cardiovascular status during controlled orthostatic challenge when administered to subjects with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) with orthostatic intolerance. STUDY DESIGN: We studied the neurovascular response to fluid loading during orthostatic stress using lower body negative pressure (LBNP) in 10 subjects with POTS with orthostatic intolerance and 15 controls, and on subsequent days before and 1 hour after IV saline infusion or ingestion of ORS. RESULTS: Subjects with POTS exhibited reduced tolerance to LBNP (P < .0001) compared with controls (Orthostatic Index of 35 715 ± 3469 vs 93 980 ± 7977, respectively). In POTS, following ORS but not saline infusion, cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFv) was significantly higher than that with no treatment, at -45 mm Hg (P < .0005). Although fluid loading did not confer any advantage in controls, subjects with POTS experienced a significant improvement in orthostatic tolerance following both saline infusion (100 ± 9.7 vs 134.5 ± 17.4; P < .05) and ORS (100 ± 9.7 vs 155.6 ± 15.7; P < .001) when evaluated by normalized orthostatic index (P < .001, compared with untreated baseline). CONCLUSIONS: Maintenance of CBFv may have resulted in the improved short-term orthostatic tolerance exhibited by the subjects with POTS following ORS administration. ORS is a convenient, safe, and effective therapy for short-term relief of orthostatic intolerance.