Clinical frailty scale as a predictor of disease severity in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 - an observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic makes proper resource allocation and prioritisation important. Frailty increases the risk of adverse outcomes and can be quantified using the Clinical frailty scale. The aim of this study was to determine the role of the Clinical frailty scale, in patients ≥65 years of age with coronavirus disease 2019, as a risk factor either for critical coronavirus disease 2019 measured as intensive care unit admission or death or as a risk factor for death. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study on patients ≥65 years hospitalised with coronavirus disease 2019 verified by polymerase chain reaction between 5 March 5 and 5 July 2020. The association between Clinical frailty scale and the composite primary outcome intensive care unit admission or death within 30 days post hospitalisation and the secondary outcome death within 30 days post hospitalisation was analysed using multivariable logistic regression models adjusting for gender, age, body mass index, hypertension, and diabetes. Clinical frailty scale was used as a categorical variable (fit score 1-4, frail score 5-6, and severely frail score 7-9). RESULTS: In total, 169 patients were included (47.3% women, mean age 79.2 ± 7.8 years). In the fully adjusted model, adjusted odds ratio for intensive care unit admission or death was 1.84 (95%-confidence interval 0.67-5.03, p = .234) for frail and 6.08 (1.70-21.81, p = .006) for severely frail compared to fit patients. For death, adjusted odds ratio was 2.81 (0.89-8.88, p = .079) for frail and 9.82 (2.53-38.10, p = .001) for severely frail compared to fit patients. CONCLUSIONS: A high Clinical frailty scale score was an independent risk factor for the composite outcome intensive care unit admission or death and for the secondary outcome death.

Swallowing Function in COVID-19 Patients After Invasive Mechanical Ventilation.

OBJECTIVE: To explore swallowing function and risk factors associated with delayed recovery of swallowing in patients with COVID-19 post-invasive mechanical ventilation using the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS). DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study. SETTING: Three secondary-level hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Invasively ventilated patients (N=28) who were hospitalized with severe COVID-19 and referred to the hospitals' speech and language pathology (SLP) departments after mechanical ventilation between March 5 and July 5, 2020 for an evaluation of swallowing function before commencing oral diet. INTERVENTIONS: SLP assessment, advice, and therapy for dysphagia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Oral intake levels at baseline and hospital discharge according to the FOIS. Patients were stratified according to FOIS (1-5, dysphagia; 6-7, functional oral intake). Data regarding comorbidities, frailty, intubation and tracheostomy, proning, and SLP evaluation were collected. RESULTS: Dysphagia was found in 71% of the patients at baseline (79% men; age, 61±12y; body mass index, 30±8 kg/m2). The median FOIS score at baseline was 2 (interquartile range [IQR], 1) vs 5 (IQR, 2.5) at hospital discharge. Patients with dysphagia were older (64±8.5y vs 53±16y; P=.019), had a higher incidence of hypertension (70% vs 12%; P=.006), and were ventilated invasively longer (16±7d vs 10±2d; P=.017) or had a tracheostomy (9±9d vs 1±2d; P=.03) longer. A negative association was found between swallowing dysfunction at bedside and days hospitalized (r=-0.471, P=.01), and number of days in the intensive care unit (ICU) (r=-0.48, P=.01). CONCLUSION: Dysphagia is prevalent in COVID-19 patients after invasive mechanical ventilation and is associated with number of days in hospital and number of days in the ICU. Swallowing function and tolerance of oral diet improved at discharge (P<.001).

'Life with a device': the octogenarians' experiences with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator-a qualitative study.

AIMS: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) treatment has expanded due to its effectiveness. However, there are concerns about complications, and use in the most elderly has been questioned. There is scarce data on qualitative aspects regarding experiences of living with an ICD among patients above the age of 80 years. The aim of this study was to explore octogenarians' experience, knowledge, and attitude of living with an ICD. METHOD AND RESULTS: We used semi-structured interviews to collect data from 20 patients, aged 80-89 years (90% men). The data were then structured and analysed through deductive thematic analysis network approach using the ATLAS.ti v.8.4 software. The framework of the analysis was based on the Successful Aging Theory. Three main themes emerged regarding the patients' experiences: Life goes on; Their Health, The Janus-Faced Device; Their attitudes, and Mind the gap; Their knowledge. None of the octogenarians regretted receiving their ICD, instead, they presented with feelings such as gratitude towards the device. However, a lack of knowledge about the devices was expressed, which can be a risk for potential complications, in turn causing suffering and unnecessary concerns. CONCLUSION: Overall, the ICD did not pose a threat towards successful ageing. It was mainly considered a life-saving device. However, the lack of knowledge might hinder informed choices close to death and contribute to ethical dilemmas when deactivation of the ICD is a reasonable option.

Health status measured by Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire-12 in primary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Self-reported health status as measured by the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) in patients with primary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) has mainly been reported from randomized trials. However, these studies are often limited to short follow-up and are subject to selection bias. The aim of this study was to assess KCCQ-12 in patients with primary prevention ICD due to either ischemic or nonischemic heart failure. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study included all patients in Region Gävleborg, Sweden, who because of primary prevention due to heart failure, had an ICD or underwent device replacement between 2007 and 2017. After validation using medical records patients were sent and returned the KCCQ-12 by regular mail. RESULTS: A total of 118 questionnaires were analyzed (response rate 71.1%). The mean age was 70.9 ± 9.8 years, and a minority was female (n = 20, 16.9%). The mean overall summary score was 71.5 ± 22.4, there was no significant difference between ischemic and nonischemic heart failure (69.5 ± 23.1 vs. 74.4 ± 21.3; p = 0.195). Atrial fibrillation at baseline was associated with lower score for the domains Symptom frequency (70.2 ± 23.2 vs. 82.2 ± 19.2; p = 0.006) and Social limitation (62.1 ± 26.0 vs. 75.6 ± 26.6; p = 0.006) as well as the overall summary score (63.9 ± 21.3 vs. 74.8 ± 22.2; p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: In a real-world setting, primary prevention ICD patients with heart failure report an acceptable disease-specific health status at long-term follow-up. Ischemic and nonischemic etiology showed similar health status whereas atrial fibrillation was associated with worse outcome.

Health-related quality of life in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators in Sweden: a cross-sectional observational trial.

OBJECTIVES: Decisions regarding implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) must consider information about presumed health-related quality of life (HRQL). The purpose of the study was to assess HRQL in patients with ICD and compare it to a Swedish age-matched and sex-matched population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational trial. SETTING: Swedish ICD cohort. INTERVENTIONS: Short form 36 (SF-36) questionnaires from ICD recipients implanted 2007-2017 (response rate 77.2%) were analysed using Mann-Whitney U test and effect size (ES). RESULTS: In total, 223 patients (mean age 71.1±9.7 years, 82.1% men) were included. In most SF-36 domains (physical functioning (PF), role physical, general health (GH), vitality, social functioning and mental health), the score for patients with ICD was significantly lower (ES range 0.23-0.41, ie, small difference) than norms, except for bodily pain and role emotional. Both the physical component summary (PCS) and the mental component summary (MCS) scores had ES=0.31. Men and women had similar scores. Primary and secondary prevention patients scored similarly, except for worse GH in primary prevention (p=0.016, ES=0.35). Atrial fibrillation was associated with worse PF (ES=0.41) and PCS (ES=0.38). Appropriate therapy, inappropriate shock or complications requiring surgery were not associated with lower scores in any domain. In primary prevention due to ischaemic versus non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy, no domain was significantly different. PCS decreased with higher age strata (p=0.002) in contrast to MCS (p=0.986). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ICDs have lower physical and mental HRQL than age-matched and sex-matched norms; however, the ESs are small. HRQL is similar regardless of sex, primary/secondary prevention indication, appropriate therapy, inappropriate shock or complications, but decreases with advancing age.

A case report of acute Leriche syndrome: aortoiliac occlusive disease due to embolization from left ventricular thrombus caused by myocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Leriche syndrome is the triad of symptoms consisting of claudication, erectile dysfunction, and absence of femoral pulses. Inflammatory disease of the heart muscle, myocarditis, may occur because of immune system activation, drug exposure or infections. CASE PRESENTATION: A 31-year-old man with no previous medical history presented to the emergency department with acute back pain that had started suddenly during weightlifting, which was initially misdiagnosed as spinal disc herniation. The patient returned four hours later and a thoracoabdominal computed tomography showed a large thrombus in the aortoiliac region creating a total occlusion. Vascular surgery with embolectomy was immediately performed. Further investigation with echocardiography revealed deteriorated systolic dysfunction with marked hypokinesia and two large thrombi in the left ventricle. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed late contrast enhancement of the inferolateral and septal regions, which indicated a recent myocarditis. CONCLUSION: Myocarditis can result in multiple embolization with diverse organ manifestation including total occlusion of the aortoiliac arteries, which required urgent embolectomy.

[Factor Xa inhibitors - equivalent to low molecular weight heparin for the treatment of cancer-associated venous thromboembolism]. / Faktor Xa-hämmare likvärdiga med lågmolekylärt heparin.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. Cancer-associated VTE has an increased risk of recurrence and often cancer confers an increased risk of bleeding, which complicates treatment with anticoagulation. Traditionally, patients with cancer-associated VTE was treated with low molecular weight heparin (LMH). In total, 4 randomized controlled trials have compared non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulantia (NOAC) with LMH. The NOACs studied are the factor Xa inhibitors apixaban, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban. A metaanalysis of these 4 trials have shown at least similar efficacy for prevention of new VTE and a similar risk of bleeding.

Seventh time lucky-A case report of multiple radiofrequency ablations for right ventricular outflow tract tachycardia.

Right ventricular outflow tachycardia initially refractory to radiofrequency ablation may be successfully treated after radiofrequency ablation at multiple sites. Repeated radiofrequency ablations as well as cooperation across borders with referral to an international center of excellence may be required in complicated cases.

Patient-reported feasibility of chest and thumb ECG after cryptogenic stroke in Sweden: an observational study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility, based on a questionnaire, of the chest and thumb ECG system Coala Heart Monitor in patients who recently had a stroke. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Two stroke units, Region Gävleborg, Sweden. PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: This study, Transient ECG Assessment in Stroke Evaluation (TEASE), included patients who had a stroke between 2017 and 2019. Patients eligible for anticoagulation in the presence of atrial fibrillation were scheduled for 28 days monitoring. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The questionnaire regarding feasibility of monitoring included seven questions, using a 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale which covered overall satisfaction, technical feasibility, remember to monitor, physical application, feeling of security, help from others and recommendation to others. A lower score indicated better outcome. RESULTS: The prespecified number of 100 patients underwent the monitoring and 83 out of the 97 alive patients returned the questionnaire (response rate 85.6%). The median age was 69.5 years, mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was 4.4±1.3 points and 59.0% were men (n=49). The median time from index stroke to start of monitoring was 7.0 days. Patients performed on average 90.1%±15.0% of scheduled ECG-transmissions. In all seven questions, the median score ranged from 4 to 8. The vast majority reported acceptable outcomes, that is, the 95th percentile ranged from 30 to 54. There was no significant difference between men and women with regard to any of the seven questions (p values ranging from 0.117 to 0.849). Two of the seven outcome scores correlated significantly to patient age (Spearman's r=-0.238 and r=-0.308, and p values 0.031 and 0.005 for 'overall satisfaction' and 'remember to monitor', respectively). CONCLUSION: In stroke survivors, chest and thumb ECG two times per day over a period of 4 weeks is feasible from a patient's perspective. The Coala Heart Monitor provides a valuable and convenient tool for monitoring after stroke. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03301662.

Diagnostic yield of chest and thumb ECG after cryptogenic stroke, Transient ECG Assessment in Stroke Evaluation (TEASE): an observational trial.

OBJECTIVE: In stroke survivors, atrial fibrillation (AF) is typically evaluated solely by short-term ECG monitoring in the stroke unit. Prolonged continuous ECG monitoring or insertable cardiac monitors require substantial resources. Chest and thumb ECG could provide an alternative means of AF detection, which in turn could allow prompt anticoagulation to prevent recurrent stroke. The objective of this study was to assess the yield of newly diagnosed AF during 28 days of chest and thumb ECG monitoring two times per day in cryptogenic stroke. METHODS: This study, Transient ECG Assessment in Stroke Evaluation, included patients who had a stroke from Region Gävleborg, Sweden, between 2017 and 2019. Patients with a recent ischaemic stroke without documented AF (or other reasons for anticoagulation) before or during ECG evaluation in the stroke unit were evaluated using the Coala Heart Monitor connected to a smartphone application for remote monitoring. RESULTS: The prespecified number of 100 patients (mean age 67.6±10.8 years; 60% men) was analysed. In nine patients (9%, number needed to screen 11) AF but no other significant atrial arrhythmias (>30 s) was diagnosed. The mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was similar among patients with AF and no AF (4.9±1.1 vs 4.3±1.3; p=0.224) and patients with AF were older (74.3±9.0 vs 66.9±10.8; p=0.049). Patients performed on average 90.1%±15.0% of scheduled transmissions. CONCLUSION: In evaluation of cryptogenic stroke, 9% of patients had AF detected using chest and thumb ECG two times per day during 1 month. In many stroke survivors, this is a feasible approach and they will be potentially protected from recurrent stroke by anticoagulation treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03301662.

Naxos disease - a narrative review.

INTRODUCTION: Naxos disease is a rare entity that manifests with woolly hair, keratosis of extremities, and cardiac manifestations that resemble arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern and mutations affecting plakoglobin and desmoplakin have been identified. There is an increased risk of arrhythmias, including sudden cardiac death at a young age. Right ventricular systolic dysfunction often progresses and left ventricular involvement may also occur. AREAS COVERED: This article reviews historic background, epidemiology, clinical characteristics, genetics, and pathogenesis as well as therapeutic management and future perspectives. EXPERT OPINION: The principles of evaluation and treatment are based on arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) and general heart failure guidelines, because specific data on Naxos disease are limited. Therefore, larger registries on Naxos disease are welcome in order to gain more knowledge about clinical course and risk stratification. Translational research on pathophysiological mechanisms has evolved, including promising approaches using stem cells for novel targets.

[Dengue caused life-threatening arrhythmia]. / Denguefeber orsakade arytmi.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease found in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide. Due to globalization and climate change dengue is an increasing global concern. Symptoms typically appear 3-14 days after inoculation by the Aedes mosquito and most commonly manifests as a self-limiting febrile illness. However, in severe dengue, plasma leakage may be profound and result in hemorrhage, disseminated intravascular coagulation and circulatory collapse. The dengue virus may also cause organ dysfunction. Cases of myocarditis, myocardial dysfunction and arrhythmias including atrioventricular block have been reported. The atrioventricular block often resolves spontaneously but pharmacological and pacing support may be required. We report a case of dengue in a patient who was admitted to a Swedish hospital after visiting India. In this case total atrioventricular block without ventricular escape rhythm resolved spontaneously and no pacemaker was necessary.

[The failing right ventricle]. / Högerkammarsvikt ­ allvarligt tillstånd med ökad mortalitet.

Right-sided heart failure is a common disease that leads to increased morbidity and mortality. Despite this it is ill understood. Echocardiography is currently the primary mode for diagnosis and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and fractional area change are good measurements to use for assessment. Volume management is central in treatment of both acute and chronic right-sided heart failure. In acute failure achieving effective diuresis is often more important than the addition of fluids. In the treatment of chronic heart failure, no strong evidence supports the use of RAAS-blockers, beta-blockers, aldosterone antagonists or digoxin. In the case of right-sided heart failure caused by pulmonary arterial hypertension vasodilator therapy may be of use, but not in cases of other forms of pulmonary hypertension.

Long-term follow-up of implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients with regard to appropriate therapy, complications, and mortality.

BACKGROUND: An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is recommended for patients with symptomatic heart failure with ejection fraction ≤35% despite optimal medical therapy. More recently, the benefits of ICDs have been questioned in nonischemic cardiomyopathy (CM). AIM: To examine the incidence of appropriate therapy, complications, mortality, and cause of death among ICD patients in an unselected validated cohort. In primary prevention, appropriate therapy in ischemic versus nonischemic CM will be evaluated. METHODS: A retrospective observational study of patients in Region Gävleborg, Sweden, who underwent ICD implantation or replacement between 2007 and 2017. RESULTS: In total, 438 patients (mean age at implant: 65.9 ± 11.2 years, 82.0% males, mean follow-up: 5.2 ± 4.0 years) were included. There were 108 (24.7%) deaths (49.1% due to heart failure) and 94.9% survived the first year. Cumulative incidence of appropriate therapy at 5-year was 31.6%. Cumulative incidence of inappropriate shock at 5-year was 9.1%. A total of 98 complications requiring surgical intervention occurred (annual rate: 4.3%). In total, 236 patients with primary prevention due to ischemic (61.9%) or nonischemic (38.1%) CM were included. During a mean follow-up of 3.9 ± 2.5 years, for appropriate therapy, there was no significant difference (P = .985) between ischemic (cumulative incidence at 1, 3, and 5 years: 6.4%, 17.1%, and 19.6%) and nonischemic CM (cumulative incidence at 1, 3, and 5 years: 5.6%, 13.6%, and 24.4%). CONCLUSION: Ischemic and nonischemic CM confer similar risk of ventricular arrhythmia. This supports current guidelines regarding primary-prevention ICD. Short-term survival is excellent but complications remain a problem.

[Peripartum cardimyopathy - risk of delayed diagnosis]. / Peripartumkardiomyopati ­ lömsk sjukdom med risk för fördröjd diagnos - Symtom på hjärtsvikt är ett observandum peripartalt.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is defined as heart failure, with ejection fraction less than 45% that presents late during pregnancy or the first five months postpartum. Despite being described first in 1849 by Ritchie the mechanisms behind the disease are still not fully understood. However, oxidative stress during pregnancy and the cleavage of prolactine into its 16 kDa fragment appears to play a role in the pathophysiology of peripartum cardiomyopathy. In addition to optimal therapy for heart failure bromocriptine, an inhibitor of prolactine release, should be considered. Prevalence and prognosis varies geographically. Most often left ventricular ejection fraction is normalized after six months but sometimes the disease is associated with deteriorating heart failure and death. Therefore it is important for health care professionals caring for women in the peripartum period to be aware of the signs and symptoms of the diagnosis.

[Myotonic dystrophy type 1 - a rare cause of bradycardia in the young]. / Dystrophia myotonica typ 1 ovanlig orsak till bradykardi hos unga - Synkopeepisoder hos 24-årig kvinna visade sig bero på sjuk sinusknuta till följd av neuromuskulär sjukdom.

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (Steinert's disease) is a rare but important cause of bradycardia in the young. Syncope is primarily considered to be caused by high-degree atrioventricular block II-III but may also be caused by sinus node dysfunction. Life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias do occur, and in cases with impaired systolic left ventricular function, indication for a primary preventive implantable cardiac defibrillator should be evaluated. All patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 should undergo clinical assessment, 12-lead ECG, 24-hour Holter, and echocardiography annually. We here describe the case of a 24-year-old woman who received a pacemaker due to sinus arrests with syncope caused by myotonic dystrophy type 1.

[Spontaneous coronary artery dissection - a cause of acute coronary syndrome in the peripartum period]. / Spontan krans­kärlsdissektion och akut koronart syndrom i peri­partumperioden - Underdiagnostiserad orsak ­ bör handläggas multidisciplinärt.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection can be caused by a tear in the intima or a bleeding in the wall of a coronary artery. It is a possible cause of acute coronary syndrome and should be suspected in patients with few risk factors for coronary artery disease. The condition is overrepresented in women particularly during the peripartum period. We present a case where a 36-year-old woman, three days after delivering her third child, presented with myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries. She later presented again with ST-elevation myocardial infarction and coronary angiography with optical coherence tomography revealed coronary dissection that was treated with percutaneous coronary intervention.

[Device-detected atrial arrhythmia - when is anticoagulation indicated?] / Apparatdetekterad förmaks­­takykardi ökar risken för stroke - Riktlinjer saknas för behandling med antikoagulantia ­ europeiska rekommendationer ger vägledning.

Atrial high rate episodes (AHRE) are frequently detected in patients with pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators. AHRE episodes ≥5 minutes are associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke. There is no clear temporal relationship between AHRE and ischemic stroke, therefore atrial arrhythmia could be suspected to at least in part be a risk marker and not solely a direct cause of stroke. No results have been published on the effect of anticoagulation in patients with AHRE, but several studies are in progress. The European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) recommends anticoagulation for patients with AHRE ≥5.5 hours per day and a CHA2DS2-VASc score of ≥2 (≥3 in females). Anticoagulation may be considered for CHA2DS2-VASc scores of 1 (2 in females). In patients with several risk factors anticoagulation should be considered also in cases with shorter duration of AHRE.

[Syncope - contemporary management]. / Differentialdiagnostik och handläggning vid synkope - Riskstratifiering kan underlätta handläggningen, visar nya riktlinjer från europeiska kardiologföreningen.

Syncope is the chief complaint in 1-2 percent of emergency department visits. Syncope belongs to the broader category transient loss of consciousness (TLOC), defined as a short loss of consciousness with loss of awareness and responsiveness, and with subsequent amnesia for the event. Syncope is defined as TLOC due to cerebral hypoperfusion, with rapid onset and spontaneous complete recovery. The main categories of syncope are reflex syncope, orthostatic hypotension, and cardiac syncope. The 2018 guidelines by the European Society of Cardiology emphasizes the process of risk stratification in the initial management of suspected syncope. Risk stratification serves to separate the patients with likely orthostatic and reflex syncope with good prognosis from the patients with likely cardiac syncope and high short-term risk of an adverse outcome. It determines the appropriate next level of care. Further evaluation should be based on clinical suspicion and frequency of symptoms.