Effects of flaxseed consumption on plasma lipids, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 activity and gut microbiota composition in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: Clinical studies have demonstrated possible beneficial effects of flaxseed on cardiovascular disease risk factors, but limited studies have evaluated the effects of flaxseed on the plasma lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) and gut microbial composition in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Aim: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of flaxseed consumption on plasma lipids and lipoproteins, Lp-PLA2 activity, as well as the relative abundance of some gut microbiota in CAD patients. Methods: In a randomized controlled parallel trial, 50 patients with CAD were randomly allocated to 12 weeks of supplementation of flaxseed (30 g/day) or control (usual care). Before and after the intervention, plasma lipids, Lp-PLA2 activity, and some gut microbiota composition (4 different bacterial genera, including Lactobacillus, Bifidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes) were measured. Results: Compared to control, flaxseed consumption was associated with improved Lp-PLA2 activity. After 12 weeks of intervention, no significant changes were observed in plasma lipids and fecal microbial composition in the two study groups. Conclusion: The present study showed that in patients with CAD, flaxseed supplementation reduced plasma Lp-PLA2 activity but had no effect on plasma lipids and the composition of some intestinal bacteria.

New Horizon of Intervention in Congenital Heart Disease: AFR in a Complex Cyanotic Patient.

Double-inlet left ventricle (DILV) is the commonest form of the anatomic univentricular heart which has different ventriculoarterial connection; generally, the most prevalent type is DILV with the hypoplastic right ventricle on the left side. The disease is associated with several heart defects, and the treatment method is different based on the anatomy of the heart, but treatment methods are almost always palliative. In this paper, we described one adult patient with DILV and severe left AV (atrioventricular valve) stenosis who is managed with a novel palliative intervention; it means AFR (atrial flow regulator) device implantation for the first time.

Self-Expanding Versus Balloon-Expandable Stents in Patients With Isthmic Coarctation of the Aorta.

Endovascular stent implantation has become the treatment of choice for the management of patients with native coarctation of the aorta (CoA). The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of self-expandable stenting (SES) with balloon-expandable stenting (BES) in the treatment of native CoA. In this single-center retrospective study, all patients who underwent SES or BES for the management of native CoA were enrolled. Patients were followed up for a median period of 35 (inter-quartile range 15 to 71) months. The primary outcome of interest was a composite end point consisted of death, surgical repair, re-stenting, re-ballooning, and hospital admission for hypertension crisis. The CoA diameter has changed from 3.2 ± 2.1 to 14.2 ± 4.0 mm in the BES group and from 4.6 ± 2.6 to 12.2 ± 3.7 mm in the SES group (both p <0.001). The procedure was successful with residual pressure gradient <20 mm Hg in 99.0% and 98.6% of patients in the BES and SES groups, respectively. Major adverse events occurred in 6 (8.7%) in the SES groups and 14 (20.3%) in the BES group (p = 0.053). Kaplan-Meier curve showed no difference between the 2 groups in terms of survival from major adverse events (p = 0.10), but when groups were matched for the propensity of stenting methods, SES was associated with lower major adverse events (p = 0.01). In conclusion, the SES and BES methods were safe and durable in our cohort with low rates of adverse events. After adjustment for the propensity of treatment with each stenting method, SES was associated with better outcomes. Regardless of the outcome of each method, it should be noted that the taken approach should be tailored to the patient's anatomy.

Iatrogenic IVC Perforation after Successful Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis.

Central vein perforation as a rare complication of venous interventions is considered a nightmare if occurring in thoracic cage but behaves benignly in abdominal or pelvic region. This is not a rule, as we unfortunately encountered during the procedure of venous intervention in our patient. Although mechanical control of iatrogenic perforation or rupture is the first and most critical step during interventional procedures, the importance of anticoagulant and thrombolytic agents reversal should not be overlooked.

Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Missed as Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Although the aortic dissection is not common, its outcome is frequently fatal, and many patients with aortic dissection die before referral to the hospital or any diagnostic testing. The symptoms of aortic dissection can be similar to myocardial ischemia. A 66-year-old male was referred to our hospital with suspicion of aortic dissection after echocardiography done for evaluating his high blood pressure. He had symptoms of acute coronary syndrome two years before and had done coronary angiography. On presentation to our hospital he had a high blood pressure. On reviewing his past medical history and examining, in the film of coronary angiography, the dissection flap in ascending aorta was identified. Although type A aortic dissection is a catastrophic condition with high mortality and requires prompt surgical treatment but in some cases it may be misdiagnosed as acute coronary syndrome. Sometimes against its high mortality when left untreated, patients survive and are diagnosed later in life incidentally. So it is of great importance to have great clinical suspicion for aortic dissection in patients referring to the hospital with chest pain and the predisposing factors.

Natural History of Aortic Regurgitation following Percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the natural history of aortic regurgitation (AR) in patients undergoing mitral valve procedures for mitral stenosis. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) on coexisting AR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 327 patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis (282 females and 45 males; mean age at the time of intervention = 47 ± 11 years) were followed up for between 48 hours and 13 years after PMV. At the time of PMV, 142 (43.3%) patients had no AR, 124 (37.9%) had mild AR, and 61 (18.7%) had moderate AR. After PMV, the follow-up showed that 120 (36.6%) patients had no AR, 103 (31.5%) had mild AR, and 104 (31.8%) had moderate AR. RESULTS: AR progression after PMV and during the follow-up was significant (P < 0.00), but there was no significant increase in aortic valve replacement (AVR) procedures. The rate of AVR was higher in the moderate AR group (3.8%). There were no significant changes in the left atrial size (LA) (P = 0.6), ejection fraction (EF) (P = 0.4), and rhythm (P = 0.4) before and after PMV, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that among patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis, a considerable number have concurrent AR. Concomitant AR at the time of PMV does not influence procedural success and is not associated with inferior outcomes. Rheumatic aortic insufficiency progresses slowly by nature, and patients with AR and mitral stenosis can safely tolerate PMV without the possibility of undergoing AVR in the near future. Patients with moderate degrees of AR remain good candidates for PMV.

Risk Factors of Reperfusion Failure following Primary Angioplasty for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI).

BACKGROUND: Although percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) improves outcomes compared to thrombolysis, a substantial number of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients do not achieve optimal myocardial reperfusion. This study was designed to evaluate factors related to suboptimal myocardial reperfusion after primary PCI in patients with STEMI. METHODS: Totally, 155 patients (124 men; mean age = 56.6 ± 11.03 years, range = 31- 85 years) with STEMI undergoing primary PCI were retrospectively studied. Additionally, the relationships between the occurrence of reperfusion failure and variables such as age, sex, cardiac risk factors, family history, Body Mass Index, time of symptom onset, ejection fraction, previous PCI, coronary artery bypass graft surgery or previous myocardial infarction, and angiographic data were analyzed. RESULTS: Procedural success was 97.1% and complete ST resolution occurred in 43.2%. Age; cardiac risk factors; family history; body mass index; previous MI, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, or PCI; and use of thrombectomy device and GPIIb/IIIa inhibitor were not the determining factors (p value > 0.05). According to our multivariate analysis, time of symptom onset (OR [95% CI]: 045 [0.2 to 0.98]; p value = 0.044) and ejection fraction (OR [95% CI]:0.37 [0.26 to .091]; p value = 0.050) had reverse and male gender had direct significant associations with failed reperfusion (OR [95% CI]: 0.34 [0.11 to 1.08]; p value = 0.068). More degrees of ST resolution occurred when the right coronary artery was the culprit vessel (p value = 0.001). The presence of more than three cardiac risk factors was associated with failed reperfusion (p value = 0.050). CONCLUSION: Considering the initial risk profile of patients with acute STEMI, including time of symptom onset and ejection fraction, as well as the accumulation of cardiac risk factors in a given patient, we could predict failed myocardial reperfusion to design a more aggressive therapeutic strategy.

Percutaneous device closure for secundum-type atrial septal defect: short and intermediate-term results.

BACKGROUND: Device closure of an isolated secundum type atrial septal defect (ASD) has been used as an alternative method for open surgical closure with comparable success and lower morbidity. In this study we evaluated the procedural success and mid-term follow-up results of percutaneous closure of secundum ASD with an Amplatzer™Septal Occluder(ASO) device or a Figula ASD occluder device. METHODS: From June 2001 to January 2009, 74 consecutive patients were scheduled for percutaneous device closure in two centers in Tehran, Iran. All patients had a stretched defect diameter of 30mm or less. After using a sizing balloon to measure the stop-flow diameter, device implantation was performed under the guidance of a trans-esophageal echocardiography (TEE).The size was generally 1 - 2 mm larger than the stretched diameter. Patients were followed for an average of 11 ±4 months. RESULTS: The median stretched diameter of the defect was 20.7±4.8 mm (range: 8 - 30 mm).A total of 73 devices were used in this study. Device closure was successful in 72 (97.2%) out of 74 patients. Repositioning of the device was required in one patient. Major complications(including significant residual shunt and device embolization) occurred in 3 (4%) patients.There was no procedure-related mortality in our patients. Mild-to-moderate residual shunt was detectable in 10 (13.7%) patients immediately following the procedure and in 5 (6.7%) patients 24 hours after the procedure. None had residual flow across the device at the end of the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Device closure of ASD has a safety profile comparable to open surgical repair and can effectively close the defect with excellent procedural and mid-term results.

Percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty using echocardiographic intercommissural diameter as reference for balloon sizing: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty is the preferred therapeutic strategy in patients with mitral stenosis, but it has shortcomings in a subset of patients. HYPOTHESIS: A new method of balloon sizing through echocardiographic measurement of the intercommissural diameter would be safe and effective and lead to better outcomes. METHODS: Eighty-six mitral-stenosis patients were randomly assigned to undergo balloon mitral valvuloplasty either with height-based balloon reference sizing (HBRS group, n = 43) or with balloons sized by the echocardiographic measurement of intercommissural diameter (EBRS group, n = 43). Postprocedural mitral valve area (MVA) and severity of mitral regurgitation (MR) were assessed via echocardiography and ventriculography. Intention-to-treat approach was applied for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were not different between the groups. The mean of the estimated balloon reference sizes was significantly higher in the HBRS patients than in the EBRS group (26.4 ± 0.92 mm, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 26.2-26.6 vs 24.5 ± 1.03 mm, 95% CI: 24.2-24.7, respectively; P = 0.006). Final MVAs were significantly larger in the EBRS group (1.5 ± 0.2 cm(2), 95% CI: 1.46-1.59 vs 1.4 ± 0.2 cm(2), 95% CI: 1.35-1.47, respectively; P = 0.01). The occurrence of new or aggravated MR was significantly lower in the EBRS group as assessed both by echocardiography (P = 0.04) and ventriculography (P = 0.05). Mitral regurgitation was aggravated in 13 (29.3%) patients in the HBRS group and in 5 (11.5%) patients in the EBRS group. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty via the Inoue technique using balloons sized by the echocardiographic measurement of the maximal commissural diameter is an effective and safe method that might lead to an acceptable increase in the MVA and significant decrease in the rate and severity of iatrogenic MR.

Comparison of the clinical and morphologic characteristics of culprit lesions in unstable angina and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the differences in clinical and morphologic characteristics of culprit lesions among patients with unstable angina (UA) and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). METHODS: The authors included 174 consecutive patients who have been admitted due to UA or NSTEMI. All patients underwent coronary angiography during hospitalisation and angiographic characteristics were determined. RESULTS: The mean age of study patients was 57±9 years, and the majority were men. The frequency of single, two and three vessel disease was 35.6%, 28.7% and 28.1%, respectively. There was no significant difference between UA and NSTEMI patients in terms of the extent of coronary artery involvement and culprit lesion morphologic features (p value: 0.99 and 0.67, respectively). The only significant difference was the incidence of definite and possible thrombus in culprit lesion (40.7% vs 16.5%, p value<0.001). The authors also did not find any association between Braunwald clinical/severity classification and lesion morphology in the studied population. In multivariate analysis there was a significant association between Braunwald class II-III and increased risk of NSTEMI (OR (95% CI): 13.43 (1.12 to 160.63), p=0.04, OR (95% CI): 14.08 (1.21 to 163.11), p=0.03, for Braunwald severity class II and III, respectively). CONCLUSION: Clinical characteristics of patients with acute coronary syndrome including enzyme rising cannot predict the extent of coronary artery involvement and the morphology of culprit lesions. The only exception was the higher incidence of intracoronary thrombus in patients with NSTEMI as compared with UA.

Percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty--a new method for balloon sizing based on maximal commissural diameter to improve procedural results.

BACKGROUND: Since the introduction of the Inoue technique for percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV), various criteria have been proposed for ideal balloon sizing. In routine practice, balloon size is chosen based on the patient's height according to a simple formula. We tried to define a simple and practical echocardiographic measure for adjusting balloon catheter size to achieve better success rates and fewer complications. METHODS: Patients with moderate to severe mitral stenosis who were candidates for PBMV were selected. Maximal mitral commissural diameter at a fully opened state during diastole was measured by transthoracic echocardiography and compared with the values from the height-based formula. Data were compared by paired sample t-test. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients (mean age 45±13.2 years; 77 female) participated. The median balloon size was 28 mm (standard deviation [SD] 1.2) according to the height-based formula and 26 mm (SD 1.6) according to echocardiography (p<0.001). Using a Bland-Altman plot, an excellent agreement was observed between the two methods. Regression models were fitted to estimate the balloon size using the patients' height, commissural diameter, and mitral valve score. CONCLUSION: Selection of balloon size according to echocardiographic commissural diameter is a good alternative method. Assuming the possible discrepancy between height-based and commissural-based estimated balloon sizes in some cases, adjustment of balloon sizes according to the maximal commissural diameter may result in acceptable results and fewer complications.