BACKGROUND: The coronary slow flow/no-reflow phenomenon (CSF/NRP) is a common complication of emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI). Its long-term prognostic value, however, remains unclear. This study investigated the long-term outcome and prognostic value of CSF/NRP after emergency PCI for STEMI. METHODS: This retrospective, multicenter registry-based cohort study was conducted in STEMI patients who underwent emergency PCI between 2015 and 2016. Incidence of in-hospital mortality, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), and all-cause mortality during long-term follow-up were compared between CSF/NRP patients and the normal flow group. Cox proportional-hazards regression model was performed to identify the predictive impact of CSF/NRP in short- and long-term outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 649 STEMI patients were included in the study, of whom 193 (29.7%) developed CSF/NRP following emergency PCI. The CSF/NRP group had a higher incidence of in-hospital mortality than the non-CSF/NRP group (8.2 vs. 4.3%, Pâ =â 0.04). All-cause mortality incidence was also higher in the CSF/NRP group during 5-year follow-up (22.2 vs. 16.2%, Pâ =â 0.04). The Cox proportional hazards model adjusting for demographic and clinical variables identified the NRP as an independent predictor of 5-year cardiac mortality [hazard ratio: 1.89; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07-3.31; Pâ =â 0.02]. In a landmark analysis, no difference was seen in overall mortality among the two study groups between 1â month and 5-year follow-up (hazard ratio: 1.33; 95% CI: 0.80-2.21, P-value: 0.23). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed lower 3-year cumulative MACCE-free survival in the CSF/NRP group compared with the normal flow group (Pâ =â 0.02). CONCLUSION: CSF/NRP in STEMI patients is associated with a worse short- and long-term prognosis. These results, however, are mostly related to the acute phase, and CSF/NRP had limited influence on clinical outcomes in early survivors of STEMI.
PURPOSE: Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is a prevalent treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF), targeting triggers within the pulmonary vein (PV) for elimination. This study evaluated heart rate variability (HRV) parameter changes at three intervals post-RF ablation: short-term (immediately to 1 month), medium-term (1 to 6 months), and long-term (6 months to 1 year). We compared two ablation techniques: circumferential PV isolation (CPVI) and segmental PV isolation (SPVI). METHODS: A thorough search of databases, including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane, in 2022 yielded 835 pertinent studies. After inclusion criteria were applied, 22 studies were analyzed. RESULTS: Results showed a marked decline in HRV parameters post-AF ablation, with LF/HF as an exception. These reductions persisted in short- and long-term evaluations up to a year post-procedure. Subgroup analysis revealed significant HRV declines, with distinct LF/HF values post-SPVI. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests the potential of decreased HRV as an indicator of autonomic denervation, necessitating further exploration to optimize therapeutic strategies and enhance patient outcomes.
Background: The objectives of this study were to assess the relation of blood groups and the rate of successful angioplasty in patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) and also to investigate long-term adverse outcomes follow-up. Materials and Methods: In this study, 500 eligible patients with definitive diagnosis of STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were followed up for 3 years. The patient's angiography images were examined and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow rate and coronary artery patency rate were evaluated in different ABO blood groups. All patients were followed up after 3 years based on major adverse cardiovascular events. Results: There was no significant difference in coronary artery patency rate between the patients of the different blood types with respect to TIMI flow before (P = 0.19) and after revascularization (P = 0.69). The incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in blood Group A was the highest. Death in the blood Groups AB and O was significantly higher than the other groups. No significant differences were seen in different blood groups in the frequency of mortality (P = 0.13), myocardial infarction (P = 0.46), heart failure (P = 0.83), re-hospitalization, angiography (P = 0.90), PCI (P = 0.94), coronary artery bypass graft (P = 0.26), implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation (P = 0.26), and mitral regurgitation (P = 0.88). Conclusion: The incidence of AF in blood Group A and inhospital mortality in blood Groups AB and O were the highest. The blood group may be considered in assessment of clinical risk in STEMI patients.
BACKGROUND: There are multiple reviews on cardiovascular aspects of COVID-19 disease on cardiovascular system in different population but there is lack of evidence about cardiovascular adverse effects of COVID vaccines. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the cardiac complications of COVID19 vaccines, based on vaccine type (mRNA, vector-based, and inactivated vaccines). METHODS: A systematic search was performed covering PubMed for English case-reports and case-series studies, and finally 100 studies were included. RESULTS: Myocarditis (with overall rate around 1.62%) was shown to be the most common post-COVID19 immunization cardiac event. More than 90% of post-COVID19 vaccination myocarditis occurred after receiving mRNA vaccines (Moderna & Pfizer-BioNTech), but the report of this event was less in the case of vector-based vaccinations and/or inactivated vaccines. Myocarditis was reported more commonly in men and following the second dose of the immunization. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) was reported after mRNA (more commonly) and vector-based vaccinations, with no case report after inactivated vaccines. When mRNA and vector-based vaccinations were used instead of inactivated vaccines, a greater frequency of vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) and pulmonary emboli (PE) was reported. Myocardial infarction/cardiac arrest was recorded in those beyond the age of 75 years. CONCLUSION: The personal and public health benefits of COVID-19 vaccination much outweigh the minor cardiac risks. Reporting bias, regarding more available mRNA vaccines in developed countries, may conflict these results.
COVID-19 , Myocarditis , Male , Humans , Aged , COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects , Myocarditis/epidemiology , Myocarditis/etiology , COVID-19/prevention & control , Heart , Vaccines, Inactivated
Tuberculous (TB) pericarditis is a well-known manifestation of tuberculosis, particularly in endemic regions. The progression to constrictive pericarditis, while under anti-tuberculosis treatment, is reported to be as high as 30%. This report presents a case of a 56-year-old female patient who complained of cough, pleuritic chest pain, night sweats, and fever, followed by orthopnea, dyspnea, and peripheral edema. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed the early stages of constrictive pericarditis and a small pericardial effusion. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed a thickened pericardium, small pericardial and pleural effusions, and multiple mediastinal lymphadenopathies. Due to a high suspicion of tuberculous pericarditis, the patient was administered empirical anti-TB treatment. A follow-up after two months showed complete resolution of symptoms and echocardiographic findings. Empirical antimicrobial treatment in endemic areas is a well-established strategy for managing tuberculous infection and proved successful in this patient. The early presentation and the significant improvement in signs and symptoms following the medical anti-TB regimen, without the need for pericardiectomy, were unique aspects of this case.
Stroke is one of the primary causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, including a large proportion of cryptogenic strokes. Long-term electrocardiographic monitoring is beneficial in prospective studies for detecting atrial fibrillation in patients with cryptogenic stroke. This review aimed to evaluate the advanced echocardiographic parameters and their roles in assessing left atrial (LA) function in the incidence of cryptogenic and ischemic strokes. Main resources, including PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science databases, were evaluated for articles published in English from 2010 until May 2021. LA echocardiographic parameters such as LA strain and strain rate, isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT), the mean left atrial volume index (LAVI), LA reservoir volume, systole strain rate (SSR) of left atrial appendage, and lack of LA function response to maximal exercise as measured by the LA ejection fraction during rest and exercise could be considered for assessing the risk of cryptogenic strokes and ischemic strokes. The results indicated that increased LA volumes and reduced LA strain rate were correlated with cryptogenic stroke. Advanced parameters of LA function, measured by speckle tracking echocardiography, such as strain and strain rate values in different parts of the cardiac cycle, in addition to standard measures of LA function such as LA ejection fraction and LAVI, will define an excellent understanding regarding LA myopathy and risk assessment of cryptogenic stroke, independent of considering conventional cardiovascular risk factors.
Aim: This study aimed to explore if supplementary lycopene tablets may help heart failure (HF) patients improve their lipid profile, BP, and the flow-mediated dilation (FMD) index for endothelial function. Methods: Fifty patients with ischemic HF with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the lycopene group which received 25 mg lycopene tablets once a day for 8 weeks and the control group which received placebo tablets containing starch once a day for 8 weeks. Results: Our results showed that after two months, the amount of triglyceride (TG) and FMD improved significantly compared to the control, TG decreased (219.27 vs. 234.24), and the mean of FMD increased (5.68 vs. 2.95). Other variables, including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density cholesterol (HDL-C), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), showed no improvement. Also, only SBP and FMD showed intragroup improvement in the intervention group. In the intervention group, only SBP and FMD exhibited intragroup improvement. Conclusions: It can be concluded that supplementing with lycopene can enhance endothelial function and reduce the TG levels in ischemic HFrEF patients. However, it had no positive effect on BP, TC, LDL-C, or HDL-C. Trial Registration. This clinical trial was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials with IRCT registration number: IRCT20210614051574N4.
Y-STR, DIP-STR, and SNP-STR are useful alternatives for testing the low quantity of DNA in solving the challenges in interpreting forensic genetic profiling. In an unbalanced mixed DNA, partial DNA is often not detected due to the effect of masking by the dominant DNA. Therefore, in such cases interpretation of the results is limited. Furthermore, profiling of these specimens cannot be performed using conventional forensic genetic methods. Biomarkers including Y-STR, DIP-STR and SNP-STR perform well in detecting DNA contributes in the mixed sample. In the present research, the performance of each is evaluated separately.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in clinical features and laboratory parameters in critically ill pregnant women with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) compared to moderate and severe pregnant women with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) but without ARDS. METHODS: This was a retrospective multicenter study of all pregnant women with COVID-19 diagnosed with ARDS between February 15, and May 1, 2020 in nine level III maternity centers in Iran (ARDS group). The control COVID-19 pregnant women were selected from 3 of 9 level III maternity centers between March 15 and April 20, 2020. Univariate statistics were used to look at differences between groups. Cluster dendrograms were used to look at the correlations between clinical and laboratory findings in the groups. A value of p <.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Fifteen COVID-19 infected women with ARDS were compared to 29 COVID-19 positive and ARDS negative control (moderate: (n = 26) 89.7% and severe: (n = 3)10.3%). The mean maternal age (35.6 vs. 29.4 years; p = .002) and diagnosis of chronic hypertension (20.0% vs. 0%, p = .034) were significantly higher in the ARDS group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in their presenting symptoms. The ARDS group had a significantly higher prevalence of tachypnea (66.6% vs. 10.3%, p = .042) and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) <93% (66.6% vs. 10.3%, p = .004) at presentation. Relative lymphopenia (lymphocyte ratio < 10.5%, 66.6% vs. 17.2%, p = .002), lymphocytes to leukocytes ratio (11.3% vs. 17.7%, p = .010), and neutrophils to lymphocytes ratio (NLR) >7.5 were significantly different between the two groups (all p < .05). CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that symptom-based strategies for identifying the critically ill pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 are insufficient; however, vital signs and laboratory data might be helpful to predict ARDS in critically ill COVID-19 pregnant patients.
COVID-19 , Respiratory Distress Syndrome , Female , Humans , Pregnancy , COVID-19/complications , COVID-19/diagnosis , COVID-19/epidemiology , SARS-CoV-2 , Pregnant Women , Critical Illness , Case-Control Studies , Respiratory Distress Syndrome/epidemiology , Respiratory Distress Syndrome/etiology , Risk Factors
Background: This study aimed to investigate readmission risk factors after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) during a 3-year follow-up. Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of the STEMI Cohort Study (SEMI-CI) in Isfahan, Iran, with 867 patients. A trained nurse gathered the demographic, medical history, laboratory, and clinical data at discharge. Then the patients were followed up annually for 3 years by telephone and invitation for in-person visits with a cardiologist concerning readmission status. Cardiovascular readmission was defined as MI, unstable angina, stent thrombosis, stroke, and heart failure. Adjusted and unadjusted binary logistic regression analyses were applied. Results: Of 773 patients with complete information, 234 patients (30.27%) experienced 3-year readmission. The mean age of the patients was 60.92±12.77 years, and 705 patients (81.3%) were males. The unadjusted results showed that smokers were 21% more likely to be readmitted than nonsmokers (OR, 1.21; P=0.015). Readmitted patients had a 26% lower shock index (OR, 0.26; P=0.047), and ejection fraction had a conservative effect (OR, 0.97; P<0.05). The creatinine level was 68% higher in patients with readmission. An adjusted model based on age and sex showed that the creatinine level (OR, 1.73), the shock index (OR, 0.26), heart failure (OR, 1.78), and ejection fraction (OR, 0.97) were significantly different between the 2 groups. Conclusion: Patients at risk of readmission should be identified and carefully visited by specialists to help improve timely treatment and reduce readmissions. Therefore, it is recommended to pay special attention to factors affecting readmission in the routine visits of STEMI patients.
Background: Mortality of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients is increasing in world. This study defines predictors of mortality in patients who have STEMI. Materials and Methods: This study was a part of the ST-elevated myocardial infarction cohort study in Isfahan conducted on 876 acute myocardial infarction (MI) followed for 2 years that 781 patient entered. The effect of predictors of mortality includes demographic, physiological, and clinical characterizes compared in two groups alive and died patients. MACE was defined as nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke, and atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease-related death was recorded. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. All analyses performed using SPSS 20.0. P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: A total 781 patients, 117 (13%) that 72 (8.5%) was in-hospital died. The mean (standard deviation) age of the patients was 60.92 (12.77) years and 705 (81.3%) patients were males. Significant factors that affected mortality on analysis of demographic and physiological parameters were age (P < 0.001), sex (P = 0.004), transfusion (P = 0.010), STEMI type (P < 0.001), number epicardial territories >50% (P = 0.001), ventilation options (P < 0.001), smoker (P = 0.003), and diabetes (P = 0.026). Significant clinical factors affected mortality were ejection fraction (EF) (P < 0.001), creatinine (P < 0.001), hemoglobin (P < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) (P = 0.019), and systolic blood pressure (P < 0.001). Multiple logistics regression model definition significant predictors for mortality were age (P < 0.001), heart rate (HR) (P = 0.007), EF (0.039), LDL-C (P = 0.002), and preangia (P = 0.022). Conclusion: The set of factors can increase or decrease mortality in these patients. Significant predictors of mortality STEMI patients by 2-year follow up were age, HR, EF, LDL-C, and preangia. It seems that more articles need to be done in different parts of Iran to confirm the results.
COVID-19 , Heart Diseases , Pulmonary Embolism , Thromboembolism , Thrombosis , COVID-19/complications , Heart Diseases/diagnosis , Heart Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Pulmonary Embolism/diagnosis , Pulmonary Embolism/diagnostic imaging , Thromboembolism/diagnostic imaging , Thromboembolism/etiology , Thrombosis/diagnostic imaging , Thrombosis/etiology
BACKGROUND: Management of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in pregnant women infected with new severe acute respiratory syndrome Corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV2) is a challenging clinical task. CASE: A 30- year-old woman (gravid 3, parity 2) presented at her 21 and 2/7 weeks gestation (pre pregnancy BMI: 36.1 kg/m2), with ARDS caused by SARS-CoV2 infection. She received lopinavir/ritonavir and azithromycin as well as early methyl prednisolone therapy. Given the persistent hypoxemia despite oxygen therapy via non rebreather face mask (FiO2:80%), convalescent plasma transfusion was administered that led to a mild clinical improvement as well as decrease in inflammatory markers. Growth of her fetus assessed by obstetric sonography was normal during hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Judicious corticosteroid therapy along with convalescent plasma transfusion to suppress viremia and cytokine storm can lead to favorable outcome in the pregnant women with ARDS caused by SARS-CoV2 infection without superimposed bacterial infection.
COVID-19 , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious , Respiratory Distress Syndrome , Adrenal Cortex Hormones , Adult , Blood Component Transfusion , COVID-19/complications , COVID-19/therapy , Female , Humans , Immunization, Passive , Plasma , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/therapy , SARS-CoV-2 , COVID-19 Serotherapy
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-COV2) infection is a rapid evolving pandemic with multiple peaks of outbreak and substantial mortality worldwide. It has been proposed that infants are more vulnerable to SARS-COV-2 infection. On the other hand, children with COVID-19 have generally milder disease compared to infected adults and more often presented with gastrointestinal symptoms compared to respiratory ones. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-c) is an ominous demonstration of COVID-19 with cardiac involvement and mortality rate <2%. From cardiovascular point of view, wide spectrum of manifestations including subclinical myocardial injury, myocarditis, stress cardiomyopathies, cardiac arrhythmias, pulmonary thromboembolism and thrombus formation in cardiac chambers and vascular bed has been reported in COVID-19 disease. Congenital heart disease (CHD), assumed as the most prevalent form of congenital disease. Advances in medical and surgical treatments for CHD have led to more alive patients with underlying heart disease secondary to congenital defects. These group of pediatric patients are prone to heart failure, arrhythmia and embolic events. In this narrative review, we intended to evaluate the cardiovascular and pediatric presentations of COVID-19 as well as the manifestation and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection on pediatric patients with CHD.
COVID-19 , Heart Defects, Congenital , Adult , COVID-19/complications , Child , Heart Defects, Congenital/complications , Heart Defects, Congenital/epidemiology , Humans , Infant , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2 , Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome
Pregnancy with various physiological effects on cardiovascular system, makes mothers with borderline cardiovascular reserve at significant risk for adverse events during labor and early postpartum period. Cardiac imaging modalities, have shown that Coronavrus Disease 2019 disease is associated with subclinical myocardial injury in significant numbers of infected people, even in mild or asymptomatic disease and previous healthy ones. Herein, we have discussed the cardiovascular aspects of prepartum pregnant women with Coronavrus Disease 2019, especially patients with moderate to severe illness. Also, we have proposed how to handle the hemodynamic load during labor and the first 48 hours postpartum in the hypoxemic overloaded parturients with possible subclinical myocardial injury.
COVID-19 , Peripartum Period , Female , Humans , Myocardium , Postpartum Period , Pregnancy , SARS-CoV-2
Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is an ominous mechanical complication of acute myocardial infarction (MI) accompanied with a poor prognosis. Transcatheter closure (TCC) of VSR has been proposed as an alternative approach for surgery. This study presents a 79-year-old man with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and chronic stable angina with 3-vessel coronary artery disease, who had refused a coronary artery bypass graft. He complained of orthopnea and dyspnea of New York Heart Association (NYHA) function class III after the recent neglected inferior MI. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed moderate left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction, true aneurysm formation at the base of the inferoseptal wall, as well as a large-sized (12 mm) VSR at the posterior aspect of basal inferoseptal segment with significant left to right shunt and a peak systolic gradient of 50 mm Hg at the VSR site. Given the high risk profile for surgery and patient refusal, he was a candidate for TCC of VSR and staged multi-vessel percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A 30 mm Figulla atrial septal defect (ASD) occluder device was chosen and successfully deployed at the VSR site with minimal residual shunt. A month later, successful multi-vessel PCI was performed with good procedural and clinical outcomes on the 6-month follow-up.
Heart Aneurysm/complications , Percutaneous Coronary Intervention/methods , Septal Occluder Device , Ventricular Septal Rupture/surgery , Aged , Coronary Artery Disease/surgery , Echocardiography , Heart Aneurysm/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Male , Myocardial Infarction/complications , Ventricular Septal Rupture/diagnostic imaging
BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity in Iran. Secondary prevention of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is necessary. The main aim of this cohort is evaluating clinical, paraclinical, management, and 5-year major events of the participants in Isfahan, Iran. METHODS: All consecutive patients with AMI hospitalized in Chamran Hospital, Isfahan, during 1 year from march 2015 were recruited and followed for 5 years. ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Cohort Study (SEMI-CI) has been initiated as a longitudinal study to evaluate course of patients with AMI in Iran, adherence to evidence-based secondary prevention drug, and five-year events such as death, re-myocardial infarction (REMI), re-hospitalization, congestive heart failure (CHF), and referring to another procedure [percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), and resynchronization therapy]. RESULTS: A total of 867 patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with mean age of 60.91 ± 12.76 years were recruited. 705 (81.3%) subjects were men with mean age of 59.63 ± 12.59 years. 470 (54.2%) patients had anterior AMI (ant-AMI) and the rest had other types of AMI. The ejection fraction (EF) mean was 37.80 ± 11.74 percent. A total of 30 (3.5%) cases of AMI had not received reperfusion. 445 (51.4%) had primary PCI and 392 (45.2%) had thrombolysis at first revascularization strategy. In-hospital death occurred in 72 participants (8.3%). Drug during hospital included: at discharge, 767 (88.5%) received aspirin, 787 (90.7%) statin, 697 (80.4%) beta-blocker, and 480 (55.4%) angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. CONCLUSION: According to the best of our knowledge, it is among few cohorts in Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) in patients with AMI. This paper showed methodology of this study in patients with STEMI and its follow-up protocol. We can use this result in policy-making for improving secondary prevention strategies.
