Clinical Application of Exercise Stress Echocardiography in an Outpatient Pediatric Population.

Background: Exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) is commonly employed in adults, but its applicability in pediatric populations remains to be clarified. Methods: A total of 309 consecutive children (C), with a mean age of 14.1 ± 2.6 years (range 6-17 years), underwent treadmill ESE starting in 2002. They were divided into two groups: Group I comprised 258 children, including 237 with symptoms related to exercise (such as chest pain, fatigue, lipothymia/syncope, or one aborted sudden death), 15 with electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities, and 6 with a positive ECG stress test showing ST changes. Group II consisted of 10 asymptomatic children whose parents requested routine screening, 11 with symptoms unrelated to exercise, 12 with a family history of sudden death, and 17 with known pathologies (including 10 with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, 2 with aortic coarctation, and the remainder with various conditions, such as Cortriatriatum sinister, pulmonary stenosis, subaortic stenosis, bicuspid aortic valve, left ventricular hypertrophy related to arterial hypertension, and aortic switch operation). Regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMAs) and transvalvular or intraventricular (IVG) gradients were assessed using 2D and continuous-wave Doppler, respectively, in all cases. Results: The success rate was 100% (309/309). Stress-induced RWMAs were observed in two children. A significant IVG (>30 mmHg) was detected in 101 out of the 258 children (39%) in Group I, who presented with exercise-related symptoms, ECG abnormalities, or positive stress ECG. In Group I, the odds ratio (OR) of ESE reproducing the symptoms in children with IVG compared to those without IVG was 8.22 (95% CI: 4.84-13.99, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Treadmill ESE is both feasible and safe for pediatric populations. RWMAs demonstrated limited utility in our cohort of children, while IVG induced by exercise was frequently observed in symptomatic children.

The impact of small-group virtual patient simulator training on perceptions of individual learning process and curricular integration: a multicentre cohort study of nursing and medical students.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has precipitated rapid changes in medical education to protect students and patients from the risk of infection. Virtual Patient Simulators (VPS) provide a simulated clinical environment in which students can interview and examine a patient, order tests and exams, prioritize interventions, and observe response to therapy, all with minimal risk to themselves and their patients. Like high-fidelity simulators (HFS), VPS are a tool to improve curricular integration. Unlike HFS, VPS require limited infrastructure investment and can be used in low-resource settings. Few studies have examined the impact of VPS training on clinical education. This international, multicenter cohort study was designed to assess the impact of small-group VPS training on individual learning process and curricular integration from the perspective of nursing and medical students. METHODS: We conducted a multi-centre, international cohort study of nursing and medical students. Baseline perceptions of individual learning process and curricular integration were assessed using a 27-item pre-session questionnaire. Students subsequently participated in small-group VPS training sessions lead by a clinical tutor and then completed a 32-item post-session questionnaire, including 25 paired items. Pre- and post-session responses were compared to determine the impact of the small-group VPS experience. RESULTS: Participants included 617 nursing and medical students from 11 institutions in 8 countries. At baseline, nursing students reported greater curricular integration and more clinical and simulation experience than did medical students. After exposure to small-group VPS training, participants reported significant improvements in 5/6 items relating to individual learning process and 7/7 items relating to curricular integration. The impact of the VPS experience was similar amongst nursing and medical students. CONCLUSIONS: In this multi-centre study, perceptions of individual learning process and curricular integration improved after exposure to small-group VPS training. Nursing and medical students showed similar impact. Small-group VPS training is an accessible, low-risk educational strategy that can improve student perceptions of individual learning process and curricular integration.

Exercise stress echocardiography: Where are we now?

Exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) is a widely used diagnostic test in cardiology departments. ESE is mainly used to study patients with coronary artery disease; however, it has increasingly been used in other clinical scenarios including valve pathology, congenital heart disease, hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathies, athlete evaluations, diastolic function evaluation, and pulmonary circulation study. In our laboratories, we use an established methodology in which cardiac function is evaluated while exercising on a treadmill. After completing the exercise regimen, patients remain in a standing position or lie down on the left lateral decubitus, depending on the clinical questions to be answered for further evaluation. This method increases the quality and quantity of information obtained. Here, we present the various methods of exercise stress echocardiography and our experience in many clinical arenas in detail. We also present alternatives to ESE that may be used and their advantages and disadvantages. We review recent advances in ESE and future directions for this established method in the study of cardiac patients and underline the advantage of using a diagnostic tool that is radiation-free.

Plasmatic Klotho and FGF23 Levels as Biomarkers of CKD-Associated Cardiac Disease in Type 2 Diabetic Patients.

BACKGROUND: Research over the past decade has focused on the role of Klotho as a cardio protective agent that prevents the effects of aging on the heart and reduces the burden of cardiovascular disease CVD. The role of the interaction between fibroblast growth factor 23-(FGF-23)/Klotho in Klotho-mediated actions is still under debate. The main objective was to ascertain the potential use of plasmatic Klotho and FGF23 as markers for CKD-associated cardiac disease and mortality. METHODS: This was a prospective analysis conducted in an outpatient diabetic nephropathy clinic, enrolling 107 diabetic patients with stage 2⁻3 CKD. Patients were divided into three groups according to their left ventricular mass index and relative wall thickness. RESULTS: Multinomial regression analysis demonstrated that low Klotho and higher FGF-23 levels were linked to a greater risk of concentric hypertrophy. In the generalized linear model (GLM), Klotho, FGF-23 and cardiac geometry groups were statistically significant as independent variables of cardiovascular hospitalization (p = 0.007). According to the Cox regression model, fatal cardiovascular events were associated with the following cardiac geometric classifications; eccentric hypertrophy (p = 0.050); concentric hypertrophy (p = 0.041), and serum phosphate ≥ 3.6 mg/dL (p = 0.025), FGF-23 ≥ 168 (p = 0.0149), α-klotho < 313 (p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: In our population, Klotho and FGF23 are associated with cardiovascular risk in the early stages of CKD.

A case report of platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome: an interplay of pressure and blood flow.

BACKGROUND: Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome is a rare condition characterized by onset or worsening of dyspnoea with orthostatism (platypnea) and arterial desaturation (orthodeoxy) that is relieved by returning to a recumbent position. An acute event causing a change in the pressure relationships inside the cardiac chambers can lead to the diagnosis of a previously undiagnosed cardiac anomaly, as the following case illustrates. CASE SUMMARY: A previously asymptomatic 80-year-old female patient was admitted in our hospital with a sudden onset ischaemic stroke. Initial evaluation, including 12-lead electrocardiogram and transthoracic echocardiogram, was unremarkable. During hospital stay, she develops pulmonary embolism, after which she complains of positional dyspnoea that develops upon sitting up, accompanied with refractory hypoxaemia that reverts on recumbent position. Transoesophageal echocardiogram revealed an interatrial septum with an exuberant hyperdynamic movement, and an abundant passage of contrast from the right atrium to the left, even without performing the Valsalva manoeuvre, compatible with an important patent foramen ovale. A percutaneous closure was performed, and patient has been symptom-free since then. DISCUSSION: This is a case illustrates how an anomaly that has been present for 80 years can suddenly manifest itself with an array of different symptoms that can make the diagnosis challenging. A high degree of clinical suspicion is crucial for an accurate diagnosis and definitive treatment.

Persistent Hypoxemia After Acute Myocardial Infarction: An Unexpected Culprit.

Hypoxemia after myocardial infarction (MI) is usually explained by common culprits, including congestive heart failure, pre-existing lung disease, and pulmonary infection. We report a case of a 60-year-old woman who experienced severe persistent hypoxemia caused by a patent foramen ovale in the setting of anterior MI complicated by a contained left ventricular rupture.

Congenital muscular diverticulum of the left ventricular apex.

We report the incidental finding of a muscular congenital diverticulum of the left ventricular apex in a young adult with AV node reentry tachycardia. The role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance in the differential diagnosis of this rare cardiac malformation is briefly discussed.

Pericardite com tamponamento por salminella enteritidis / Salmonella enteritidis pericarditis with tamponade

Relata-se o caso de paciente feminina, 22 anos, sem história médica prévia relevante, admitida no Serviço de Urgência por cansaço progressivo e dor precordial aguda, referindo queixa abdominais há 72 horas. Avaliação médica revela presença de derrame pericárdio moderado. Internada, evolui em tamponamento cardíaco, requerendo pericardiocentese. É determinada a presença de Salmonella enteritidis no líquido pericárdico, e então iniciado tratamento com antibiótico. O prognóstico foi satisfatório, com recuperação total clínica e ecocardiográfica.

Report on a 22 year old female with no relevant prior medical history who was admitted to the Ermergency Department complaining of acute chest pain and progressive fadigue, mentioning abdominal complaints 72 hours previously. A medical evaluation showed moderate pericardial effusion. After admission, this developed into pericardial tamponade, requiring pericardiocentecis. Salmonella enteriditis was identified in the pericardial fluid, starting treatment with antibiotics. The prognosis was satisfactory , with complete clinical and echocardiographic recovery.

Diabetes e doença cardiovascular: prognóstico após cinco anos de revascularização percutânea / Diabetes and cardiovascular disease: prognosis five years after percutaneous revascularization

Fundamentos: O diabetes mellitus (DM) é reconhecidamente fator de risco cardiovascular. Sabendo-se que a intervenção coronariana percutânea (ICP) melhora o prognóstico da doença coronariana (DC), pretendemos verificar se esse efeito é similar em doentes diabéticos (D) e não diabéticos (ND). Objetivo: Analisar o prognóstico em longo prazo do DM em pacientes submetidos a ICP. Métodos: Estudo de coorte, unicêntrico, retrospectivo, envolvendo pacientes consecutivos submetidos à ICP, eletiva ou de urgência, entre janeiro 2002 e dezembro 2003. Definiram-se dois grupos: pacientes com DM (D) e sem DM (ND). compararam-se as variáveis clínicas e angiográficas da ICP com resultado clínico ao final de cinco anos. Definiram-se como eventos maiores cardiovasculares (EMC): morte, nova síndrome coronariana aguda, acidente vascular encefálico (AVE) e nova revascularização cirúrgica ou ICP. Foram ainda avaliadas as taxas de trombose de stent, revascularização do vaso-alvo (RVA) e revascularização da lesão-alvo (RLA). Resultados: O seguimento em cinco anos foi 94%. Foram realizadas 446 ICP em 406 pacientes, média de idade=63,0+-11 anos, 70,4% masculino. Destes, 128 (31,5%) eram do grupo D. Em cinco anos o valor de EMC foi 50,7% para D e 36,7% para N. Encontrou-se mortalidade global...

Independent association of the variant rs1333049 at the 9p21 locus and coronary heart disease.

INTRODUCTION: Recent genome-wide association studies have identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the 9p21 locus as risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD). Among them, the SNP rs1333049 has demonstrated a consistent association with CAD, which has been successfully replicated in several populations. AIM: To investigate whether the SNP rs1333049 located on the 9p21 chromosome is an independent risk factor for CAD in a Portuguese population. METHODS: We performed a case-control study which included 1406 individuals, 723 consecutive coronary patients (mean age 53.71 +/- 8.9 years, 79.9% male and 683 controls without coronary disease (mean age 53.3 +/- 10.5 years, 73.9% male). Cases and controls were selected so as not to be significantly different in terms of gender and age. We studied the SNP rs1333049 at the 9p21 locus in all individuals, using standard PCR combined with the TaqMan technique (Applied Biosystems). The allelic and genotype distribution (C/G), odds ratios and corresponding confidence intervals for CAD risk were determined. A forward Wald logistic regression analysis model was constructed, adjusted for age, gender, conventional risk factors, biochemical markers and the genotypes under study, in order to determine which variables were linked significantly and independently with CAD. RESULTS: The C allele was found in 60% of the CAD patients and 53% of the controls, with OR = 1.33; p = 0.0002. The CC genotype appeared in 35.7% of CAD patients, with OR = 1.34, p = 0.010. The heterozygous CG genotype was present in 48.1% of the CAD patients and 47% of the controls, and did not present vascular risk (OR = 1.05, p = 0.670). After logistic regression analysis, the CC genotype remained in the equation with OR = 1.7; p = 0.018 and CG with OR = 1.5, p = 0.048. CONCLUSION: In the present study we replicated the coronary risk linked to the recently discovered variant rs1333049 on the 9p21 chromosome in a Portuguese population. Although the mechanism underlying the risk is still unknown, the robustness of this risk allele in risk stratification for CAD has been consistent, even in very different populations. The presence of the CC or CG genotype may thus prove to be useful for predicting the risk of developing CAD in the Portuguese population.

Cardiomiopatia dilatada por virus H1N1 / Dilated cardiomyopathy due to H1N1 virus

Mulher de 58 anos, sem antecedentes médicos relevantes, apresenta infecção respiratória pelo vírus H1N1, requerendo internação na Unidade de Cuidados Intensivos. Após a alta, refere progressiva astenia e dispneia, sendo internada nove meses depois por derrame pleural e infecção respiratória. Avaliação específica pela Cardiologia revela cardiomiopatia dilatada com má função sistólica do ventrículo esquerdo, compatível com miocardite. A ressonância magnética se apresenta compatível com miocardite. Dados os antecedentes e havendo sido descartada doença autoimune e tóxica, associou-se a doença ao vírus H1N1. O prognóstico é muito positivo, com recuperação quase total da função do ventrículo esquerdo.

A 58-year-old woman with no relevant prior medical conditions presented a respiratory infection caused by theH1N1 virus, requiring admittance to an Intensive Care Unit. After discharge, the patient complained of progressiveasthenia and dyspnea, being hospitalized nine months later with a diagnosis of pleural effusion and respiratory infection. Further evaluation by the Cardiology Unit revealed dilated cardiomyopathy with poor systolicfunction of the left ventrícle, compatible with myocarditis. A cardiac magnetic ressonance examination was compatible with myocarditis. Given her previousadmittance and having ruled out toxic aspects and autoimmune disease, the disease was associated with the H1N1 virus. The prognosis is very positive, with almost complete recovery of the left ventricular function.