Predictors of Suboptimal Gain in Exercise Capacity After Cardiac Rehabilitation.

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) improves exercise capacity (EC), but not all CR participants achieve such improvements. Our primary aim was to develop a tool to identify those with suboptimal improvement in EC after CR. We retrospectively analyzed 541 patients enrolled in a phase-II CR program after a cardiac event or intervention from 2003 to 2014. EC was assessed with the 6-minute walk test. We developed a multivariate linear regression model and corresponding nomogram to predict EC after CR. The predictors included in the final model were age, gender, baseline EC, primary referral diagnosis, body mass index, systolic blood pressure at rest, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, lipid-lowering medication use, and an interaction term of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol with lipid-lowering therapy. The prediction model was internally validated using bootstrap methods, and a nomogram was created for ease of use. In conclusion, this tool helps to identify those patients with suboptimal improvement in EC who could be targeted for individualized interventions to increase their performance.

Postoperative rescue closure of patent foramen ovale in the clinical setting of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure and stroke following coronary artery bypass surgery.

We describe a case of intraoperative diagnosis and successful deferred percutaneous closure of a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in the clinical setting of acute refractory hypoxemic respiratory failure and new-onset ischemic stroke in an elderly patient after coronary artery bypass graft. Perioperative morbidity (i.e. severe hypoxemia, worsening right ventricular dysfunction, and embolic stroke) that is potentially related to intraoperatively diagnosed PFO during cardiac surgery can complicate management in the Intensive Care Unit and perhaps affect the patient's outcome. Although the PFO closure can be challenging in the clinical setting of hypoxemic respiratory failure and stroke following cardiac surgery, it can be a reasonable perioperative option.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and canalith repositioning procedure for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

BACKGROUND: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome, ampulla cardiomyopathy, or transient left ventricular dysfunction is characterized by chest pain, electrocardiographic changes, transient left ventricular apical aneurysm, and normal coronary arteries. Takotsubo is a round-bottomed, narrow-necked Japanese octopus trap and lends its name to takotsubo cardiomyopathy because of its resemblance to echocardiographic and ventricular angiographic images of the left ventricle in this condition. This appearance takes its source from peculiar, transient regional systolic dysfunction involving the left ventricular apex and mid-ventricle with hyperkinesis of the basal left ventricular segments. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of vertigo caused by peripheral vestibular dysfunction. The symptoms of BPPV are attributed to intralabyrinthine particles, presumed displaced otoconia. Thus, the treatment recommended for BPPV is head repositioning maneuvers. PURPOSE: To present the first takotsubo cardiomyopathy case in the English literature related to BPPV undergoing canalith repositioning procedure. CONCLUSION: This report will provide additional information for physicians encountering acute-onset chest pain and vertigo. It will also expand the spectrum of clinical correlates of the increasingly well recognized but poorly understood syndrome, takotsubo cardiomyopathy.