Long-term ischemic mitral regurgitation: which parameters predict decrease or increase in the degree after five years?

BACKGROUND: Ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) is a frequent valvular heart disease and is related to worse prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamics in the degree of IMR from the acute phase of inferoposterior myocardial infarction (MI) to 5-years follow-up and to identify the predictors of change in the degree of mitral regurgitation (MR). METHODS: We included patients with first ever acute inferoposterior MI and examined them in two phases: at the time of acute MI then 5 years later. Based on two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography, the patients were divided into the non-significant MR (NMR) group and IMR group. The parameters of left ventricle (LV), mitral apparatus and clinical data were assessed in both phases. The predictors of a decrease or an increase in the degree of mitral regurgitation after 5 years were identified. RESULTS: The values of the parameters of mitral apparatus and LV chambers increased with higher degrees of IMR. The tenting height, systolic blood pressure and posteromedial papillary muscle (PMPM) displacement during the acute phase were the most important in predicting the change in the degree of MR after 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of mitral apparatus in acute phase of MI can be most useful to determine the change of the degree of MR long-term post MI. Although LV remodelling itself contributes to IMR, this influence is directly dependent on alterations in mitral geometry.

A Novel, Individualized Exercise Program for Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease Recovering from Bypass Surgery.

The effectiveness of an individual six-month-long physical exercise program in improving health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is unclear. There is some evidence that an individual exercise program can be effective for this aim. The goal of this study was to compare an individual six-month-long physical exercise program for patients with PAD (Peripheral Arterial Disease) with a traditional exercise program and find the effect of these programs on HRQOL and PAD risk factors. The study included patients who underwent femoral-popliteal artery bypass grafting surgery. Patients were divided into three groups: patients participating in an individual six-month-long physical exercise program (group I), in the standard physical activity program (group II), and in a control group (group III), with no subjects participating in rehabilitation II. Results: group I patients had a significantly (p < 0.001) higher HRQOL at 6 months after their surgery compared with groups II and III. The HRQOL scores were significantly (p < 0.05) lower after surgery among older (≥ 65), overweight participants, as well as among patients with diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases when comparing study results with patients without these risk factors.

Assessment of mitral apparatus in patients with acute inferoposterior myocardial infarction and ischaemic mitral regurgitation with two-dimensional echocardiography from anatomically correct imaging planes.

BACKGROUND: Ischaemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) is associated with adverse prognosis after myocardial infarction (MI) as a result of left ventricular remodelling and geometric deformation of the mitral apparatus (MA). AIM: The aim of this study was to assess MA from anatomically correct imaging planes in acute inferoposterior MI and IMR. METHODS: Ninety-three patients with no structural cardiac valve abnormalities and the first acute inferoposterior MI were prospectively enrolled into the study. Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography for MA assessment was performed within 48 h of presentation after reperfusion therapy. Based on the degree of mitral regurgitation (MR), patients were divided into either a no significant MR (NMR) group (n = 52 with no or mild, grade 0-I MR) or an IMR group (n = 41 with grade ≥ 2 MR). The control group consisted of 45 healthy individuals. RESULTS: Ischaemic MR was related with dilatation of the left ventricle chambers, decrease in ejection fraction, increase in mitral annulus diameter and area, and changes in subvalvular apparatus when compared with the NMR group or healthy individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Ischaemic MR in acute inferoposterior MI is related with worse lesions in MA geometry that cause insufficiency of mitral valve function.

Left Ventricular Mechanics in Functional Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation in Acute Inferoposterior Myocardial Infarction.

UNLABELLED: Ischemic mitral regurgitation (MR) is an established adverse prognostic factor after myocardial infarction (MI). Functional ischemic mitral regurgitation in acute phase of MI remains under-investigated due to its often transient and dynamic nature. We aimed to assess left ventricular (LV) mechanics by speckle-tracking echocardiography in acute inferoposterior MI and ischemic mitral regurgitation (MR). METHODS: Sixty-nine patients with no structural cardiac valve abnormalities and first acute inferoposterior MI were prospectively enrolled into the study. Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography for regional myocardial function and valve assessment was performed within 48 hours of presentation after reperfusion therapy (percutaneous coronary intervention). Based on degree of MR, patients were divided into no significant MR (NMR) group (N = 34, with no or mild (grade 0-I) MR) and ischemic MR (IMR) group (N = 35, with grade ≥2 MR). Thirty-five age- and gender-matched healthy individuals served as a normal reference group. Offline 2D speckle tracking analysis was performed with GE EchoPAC software. RESULTS: LV ejection fraction and longitudinal myocardial deformation parameters were significantly better in healthy subjects, but did not differ between both study groups. All circumferential myocardial deformation parameters were significantly worse in IMR group compared to healthy subjects and NMR group. Global, basal, and mid-ventricular radial strain was significantly lower in IMR group compared to both-healthy subjects and NMR group. CONCLUSION: Ischemic mitral regurgitation in acute inferoposterior MI is associated with worse radial and circumferential LV deformation parameters assessed by 2D speckle tracking echocardiography.

Infective endocarditis in an HIV-infected intravenous drug user.

Infective endocarditis is a common complication among injecting drug users. Disease risk among these patients is increased by the spread of HIV infection. In the following article, we discuss the exceptional clinical presentation of a 28-year-old patient who used intravenous drugs (heroin) for 10 years, had been infected with HIV for seven years and as a complication had developed Staphylococcus aureus infective endocarditis. The patient came to the hospital in serious condition, complaining of bodily pain, swelling of the legs and general weakness. During hospitalization, besides infective endocarditis, she was also diagnosed with anemia, toxic hepatitis, renal failure, ascites, sepsis, and pneumonia. A completely disrupted tricuspid valve, damaged aortic valve, and fibrosis of the mitral valve were detected. Echocardiographic and radiologic data showed that the patient's condition continued to deteriorate day by day, with significant progression of heart failure, ejection fraction decreasing from 45% to 10%, and development of myocarditis, hydrothorax and pericarditis. However, this progressive worsening of the patient's condition ceased when vancomycin was administered. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first such case described in the literature in which significant improvement was observed despite the patient's complex condition with associated complications.