Effect of a hypertensive response during exercise on growth rates of aortic diameters.

BACKGROUND: Aortic diameters are related to age, sex, and body size. There are a scarcity of data on the long-term sequelae of a hypertensive response to exercise (HRE) on aortic diameters. In this retrospective cohort study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between the growth rates of the aorta in individuals with a HRE. METHODS: Our analysis included follow-up data of 649 patients recruited between January 2009 and December 2014 with a HRE. Participants with known connective tissue disease or a history of acute aortic syndrome were excluded. Sinus of Valsalva (SoV) and ascending aorta (AscAo) diameters were measured by transthoracic echocardiography using leading edge to leading edge convention at end-diastole. RESULTS: At baseline, median age, maximum systolic blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), diameter of the SoV, and AscAo were 62 years, 208 mmHg, 26.9 kg/m2, 35 mm, and 35 mm respectively. 32% of patients were female and 67% had hypertension. After a median follow-up of 7.1 years, mean yearly growth rates (±SD) of the SoV and AscAo were 0.09 (0.41) mm and 0.13 (0.56) mm respectively. No significant associations were observed between growth rates of aortic diameters and maximum systolic and diastolic BP or when considering only individuals with a baseline diameter > 40mm. CONCLUSION: In this large cohort study, maximum systolic and diastolic BP during exercise showed no association with growth rates of aortic diameters. Furthermore, the mean growth rates of aortic diameters in this population were in line with growth rates in a normal population.

Impaired retinal micro-vascular function in patients with atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and CV diseases, in particular heart failure, are strongly associated with impaired microvascular retinal endothelial function. Whether atrial fibrillation (AF) contributes to vascular dysfunction is not clear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of AF on retinal microvascular function. METHODS: In this study, vascular function was measured non-invasively with flicker-light induced vasodilatation of retinal arterioles (FIDart%). Patients with a history of AF and risk factors for heart failure (HF) or heart failure (n = 69; age 67.9 ± 9.2 years, 71% male, 35% HFrEF, 56% paroxysmal, 25% persistent, 19% permanent AF), as well as age, sex and ejection fraction matched patients with absent history of AF (n = 66; age 63.4 ± 10.6 years, 67% male, 47% HFrEF) were included. Patients with AF were further divided into those with paroxysmal AF (in sinus rhythm - AFSR: n = 38, age 71.4 ± 9.2, 73% male), and those with AF at the time of the study visit. RESULTS: Retinal microvascular function was impaired in patients with AF compared to patients without AF (FIDart% 1.1% [0.3-2.8] vs. 2.7% [1.3-5.1], p < 0.001). Patients currently in AF have poorer retinal microvascular function (FIDart% 0.8% [0.1-1.9) compared to patients with a history of AF but currently in SR at the time of retinal function measurement (1.5% [0.6-4.9] p = 0.017). In patients with AF, impaired retinal vascular function was independently associated with larger left atrial volume (mean 49.8 ± 18.4), even after correction for confounding factors in different models (SCR = -0. 251 to -0.256, p = 0.035-0.01). CONCLUSIONS: AF in patients with heart failure is associated with impaired vascular function, even if currently in sinus rhythm. The association of retinal microvascular dysfunction with left atrial volume, a surrogate for elevated cardiac filling pressures, may further highlight the important interplay between the vasculature and elevated filling pressures in the development of AF.

Diverging role of epicardial adipose tissue across the entire heart failure spectrum.

AIMS: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a metabolically highly active tissue modulating numerous pathophysiological processes. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between EAT thickness and endothelial function in patients with heart failure (HF) across the entire ejection fraction spectrum. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 258 patients with HF with an ejection fraction across the entire spectrum [HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), n = 168, age 60.6 ± 11.2 years; HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), n = 50, mean age 65.1 ± 11.9 years; HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF), n = 32, mean age 65 ± 12] were included. EAT was measured with transthoracic echocardiography. Vascular function was assessed with flicker-light-induced vasodilation of retinal arterioles (FIDart%) and flow-mediated dilatation (FMD%) in conduit arteries. Patients with HFrEF have less EAT compared with patients with HFpEF (4.2 ± 2 vs. 5.3 ± 2 mm, respectively, P < 0.001). Interestingly, EAT was significantly associated with impaired microvascular function (FIDart%; r = -0.213, P = 0.012) and FMD% (r = -0.186, P = 0.022), even after multivariate correction for confounding factors (age, body mass index, hypertension, and diabetes; standardized regression coefficient (SRC) = -0.184, P = 0.049 for FIDart% and SRC = -0.178, P = 0.043 for FMD%) in HFrEF but not in HFpEF. CONCLUSIONS: Although less EAT is present in HFrEF than in HFpEF, only in HFrEF EAT is associated with vascular dysfunction. The diverging role of EAT in HF and its switch to a functionally deleterious tissue promoting HF progression provide the rationale to specifically target EAT, in particular in patients with reduced ejection fraction.

The Different Pathways of Epicardial Adipose Tissue across the Heart Failure Phenotypes: From Pathophysiology to Therapeutic Target.

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is an endocrine and paracrine organ constituted by a layer of adipose tissue directly located between the myocardium and visceral pericardium. Under physiological conditions, EAT exerts protective effects of brown-like fat characteristics, metabolizing excess fatty acids, and secreting anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic cytokines. In certain pathological conditions, EAT acquires a proatherogenic transcriptional profile resulting in increased synthesis of biologically active adipocytokines with proinflammatory properties, promoting oxidative stress, and finally causing endothelial damage. The role of EAT in heart failure (HF) has been mainly limited to HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and related to the HFpEF obese phenotype. In HFpEF, EAT seems to acquire a proinflammatory profile and higher EAT values have been related to worse outcomes. Less data are available about the role of EAT in HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Conversely, in HFrEF, EAT seems to play a nutritive role and lower values may correspond to the expression of a catabolic, adverse phenotype. As of now, there is evidence that the beneficial systemic cardiovascular effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 receptors-inhibitors (SGLT2-i) might be partially mediated by inducing favorable modifications on EAT. As such, EAT may represent a promising target organ for the development of new drugs to improve cardiovascular prognosis. Thus, an approach based on detailed phenotyping of cardiac structural alterations and distinctive biomolecular pathways may change the current scenario, leading towards a precision medicine model with specific therapeutic targets considering different individual profiles. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge about the biomolecular pathway of EAT in HF across the whole spectrum of ejection fraction, and to describe the potential of EAT as a therapeutic target in HF.

Arrhythmic Manifestations of Cardiac Amyloidosis: Challenges in Risk Stratification and Clinical Management.

Amyloidosis is a systemic disease characterized by extracellular deposits of insoluble amyloid in various tissues and organs. Cardiac amyloidosis is a frequent feature of the disease, causing a progressive, restrictive type of cardiomyopathy, and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes and increased mortality. The typical clinical presentation in patients with cardiac amyloidosis is heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction. Most patients present with typical symptoms and signs of HF, such as exertional dyspnea, pretibial edema, pleural effusions and angina pectoris due to microcirculatory dysfunction. However, patients may also frequently encounter various arrhythmias, such as atrioventricular nodal block, atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachyarrhythmias. The management of arrhythmias in cardiac amyloidosis patients with drugs and devices is often a clinical challenge. Moreover, predictors of life-threatening arrhythmic events are not well defined. This review intends to give a deepened insight into the arrhythmic features of cardiac amyloidosis by discussing the pathogenesis of these arrhythmias, addressing the challenges in risk stratification and strategies for management in these patients.

Hypertensive response to exercise, hypertension and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)-a continuum of disease?

INTRODUCTION: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has been shown to be a long-term consequence of uncontrolled arterial hypertension (aHT). Other than that, hypertensive response to exercise (HRE) precedes aHT. We aim to evaluate the available evidence for a continuum of HRE, aHT and HFpEF. METHODS: A literature search on PubMed was conducted to assembly the most recent data on the topic. After collecting the data, a qualitative analysis was instrumented. RESULTS: 10 studies including 16,165 subjects were analyzed with respect to the association between HRE and the future risk of developing aHT. With the exception of one study, all reported on a positive association between HRE and the future development of aHT despite methodological issues related to different definitions for HRE. Furthermore, HRE was associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease. Moreover, we analysed 6 studies including overall 1366 subjects investigating the association between HRE and HFpEF. In these studies, increased left atrial volume index (LAVI), elevated E/e' (as surrogate parameters of increased LV end-diastolic filling pressure and of diastolic dysfunction) and higher LV mass index have been proposed as independent predictor of HRE in patients with no known HFpEF diagnosis. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The literature search revealed suggestive data on a connection of HRE, aHT and HFpEF. HRE seems to be an independent risk factor for aHT and aHT in turn is one of the main risk factors for HFpEF. However, further research is needed to improve our knowledge of a possible continuum of disease.

Value of troponin T versus I in the diagnosis of immune checkpoint inhibitor-related myocarditis and myositis: rechallenge?

A 54-year old patient with metastatic melanoma presented with asymptomatic myositis and myocarditis after combined immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) therapy (anti-programmed cell death receptor-1, anti-lymphocyte activating gene-3, and anti-indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1). The diagnosis was based on the typical time window after ICI, recurrence upon re-challenge, elevations of CK, high-sensitive troponin T (hs-TnT) and I (hs-TnI), mild NT-proBNP increase, and positive magnetic resonance imaging criteria. Notably, hsTnI was found to more rapidly increase and fall and to be more heart-specific than TnT in the context of ICI-related myocarditis. This led to ICI therapy withdrawal and switch to a less effective systemic therapy. This case report highlights the differential value of hs-TnT and hs-TnI for diagnosis and monitoring of ICI-related myositis and myocarditis.

History of peripheral artery disease and cardiovascular risk of real-world patients with acute coronary syndrome: Role of inflammation and comorbidities.

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) remain at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) recurrences. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) may identify a very high risk (VHR) group who may derive greater benefit from intensified secondary prevention. METHODS: Among ACS-patients enrolled in the prospective multi-center Special Program University Medicine (SPUM), we assessed the impact of PAD on major cardiovascular events (MACE: composite of myocardial infarction, stroke and all-cause death) and major bleeding. Multivariate analysis tested the relation of each significant variable with MACE, as well as biomarkers of inflammation and novel markers of atherogenesis. RESULTS: Out of 4787 ACS patients, 6.0% (n = 285) had PAD. PAD-patients were older (p < 0.001), with established CVD and signs of increased persistent inflammation (hs-CRP; 23.6 ± 46.5 vs 10.4 ± 27.2 mg/l, p < 0.001 and sFlt-1; 1399.5 ± 1501.3 vs 1047.2 ± 1378.6 ng/l, p = 0.018). In-hospital-death (3.2% vs 1.4%, p = 0.022) and -MACE (5.6% vs 3.0%, p = 0.017) were higher in PAD-patients. MACE at 1 year (18.6% vs 7.9%,p < 0.001) remained increased even after adjustment for confounders (Adj. HR 1.53, 95% CI: 1.14-2.08, p = 0.005). Major bleeding did not differ between groups (Adj. HR 1.18; 95% CI 0.71-1.97, p = 0.512). Although PAD predicted MACE, PAD-patients were prescribed less frequently for secondary prevention at discharge. CONCLUSIONS: In this real-world ACS patient cohort, concomitant PAD is a marker of VHR and is associated with increased and persistent inflammation, higher risk for MACE without an increased risk of major bleeding. Therefore, a history of PAD may be useful to identify those ACS patients at VHR who require more aggressive secondary prevention.

Multimodality Imaging in Sarcomeric Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Get It Right on Time.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) follows highly variable paradigms and disease-specific patterns of progression towards heart failure, arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Therefore, a generalized standard approach, shared with other cardiomyopathies, can be misleading in this setting. A multimodality imaging approach facilitates differential diagnosis of phenocopies and improves clinical and therapeutic management of the disease. However, only a profound knowledge of the progression patterns, including clinical features and imaging data, enables an appropriate use of all these resources in clinical practice. Combinations of various imaging tools and novel techniques of artificial intelligence have a potentially relevant role in diagnosis, clinical management and definition of prognosis. Nonetheless, several barriers persist such as unclear appropriate timing of imaging or universal standardization of measures and normal reference limits. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge on multimodality imaging and potentialities of novel tools, including artificial intelligence, in the management of patients with sarcomeric HCM, highlighting the importance of specific "red alerts" to understand the phenotype-genotype linkage.

Hypertensive Response to Exercise in Athletes: Unremarkable Finding or Relevant Marker for Future Cardiovascular Complications?

Background: In the general population, hypertensive response to exercise (HRE) predicts new-onset resting hypertension or other cardiovascular diseases. Methods: PubMed was searched for English articles published between January 1st 2000 and April 30th 2020. Additional studies were identified via reference lists of included studies. 92 papers were selected for full text analysis, finally 30 studies were included. Results: The results from 5 follow-up studies suggested an association between HRE and the risk of developing hypertension, while 10 studies reported a link with adverse cardiovascular events in the general population. Another study showed an association between HRE and future hypertension in athletes after a follow-up of 7 years. HRE in athletes was associated with left ventricular hypertrophy in three studies. Two other studies showed a link between HRE and focal myocardial fibrosis in triathletes and myocardial injury, respectively. One study found lower Apoliprotein-1 serum levels in athletes with HRE leading to a higher risk for cardiovascular disease. Only in one study no association with cardiovascular dysfunction in athletes with HRE was found. Conclusions: Based on current evidence, HRE is not a normal finding in athletes. If detected, it should be interpreted as a risk factor for future cardiovascular complications. Future research should address the adequate follow-up and management of athletes with HRE.

A comparative study on the analysis of hemodynamics in the athlete's heart.

The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the development of the athlete's heart are still poorly understood. To characterize the intracavitary blood flows in the right ventricle (RV) and right-ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) in 2 healthy probands, patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) and 2 endurance athletes, we performed 4D-MRI flow measurements to assess differences in kinetic energy and shear stresses. Time evolution of velocity magnitude, mean kinetic energy (MKE), turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) and viscous shear stress (VSS) were measured both along the whole RV and in the RVOT. RVOT regions had higher kinetic energy values and higher shear stresses levels compared to the global averaging over RV among all subjects. Endurance athletes had relatively lower kinetic energy and shear stresses in the RVOT regions compared to both healthy probands and ARVC patients. The athlete's heart is characterized by lower kinetic energy and shear stresses in the RVOT, which might be explained by a higher diastolic compliance of the RV.

Predictors of left atrial fibrosis in patients with atrial fibrillation referred for catheter ablation.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial (LA) fibrosis in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of AF recurrence after catheter ablation. Therefore, we searched for clinical risk factors that confer an increased risk of LA fibrosis, which can influence the treatment strategy. METHODS: We included 94 patients undergoing 3-dimensional electroanatomical voltage mapping-guided catheter ablation of AF. LA low-voltage areas during sinus rhythm as a surrogate parameter of fibrosis were measured with the CARTO3 mapping system and adjusted for LA volumes obtained by computed tomography. Blood tests including N-terminal prohormone of B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular function were also analyzed. RESULTS: Patients were 62.5 ± 11.4 years old, and 29% were female. LA fibrosis was present in 65%, with 50% having a fibrotic area > 5% (≥ Utah-Stage 1). Mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 53.9 ± 10.5%. Patients with LA fibrosis had higher NT-proBNP levels (869 ± 1056 vs. 552 ± 859 ng/L, p = 0.001) and larger LA volumes (body surface area-corrected 63.3 ± 19.3 vs. 80 ± 27.1 mL/m2, p = 0.003). In univariable analyses, LA fibrosis was significantly associated with female gender, older age, increased LA volumes, hypertension, statin therapy, higher NT-proBNP values, and echocardiographic E/e'. In bivariable analyses, higher NT-proBNP, echocardiographic parameters of diastolic dysfunction, female gender, older age, and higher DR-FLASH scores remained as independent predictors of LA fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: In this single-center longitudinal study, surrogate parameters of elevated left-sided cardiac filling pressures such as higher NT-proBNP levels and higher echocardiographic E/e' values as well as female gender independently predicted the prevalence of LA fibrosis in patients referred for catheter ablation of AF.

A patient-centered multidisciplinary cardiac rehabilitation program improves glycemic control and functional outcome in coronary artery disease after percutaneous and surgical revascularization.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is strongly associated with all-cause mortality reduction in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The impact of CR on pathological risk factors, such as impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and functional recovery remains under debate. The aim of the present study is to determine whether CR had a positive effect beside physical exercise improvement on pathological risk factors in IGT and diabetic patients with CAD. METHODS: One hundred and seventy-one consecutive patients participating in a 3-month CR from January 2014 to June 2015 were enrolled. The primary endpoint was defined as an improvement of peak workload and VO2-peak; glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) reduction was considered as secondary endpoint. RESULTS: Euglycemic patients presented a significant improvement in peak workload compared to diabetic patients (from 5.75 ± 1.45 to 6.65 ± 1.84 METs vs. 4.8 ± 0.8 to 4.9 ± 1.4 METs , p = 0.018). VO2-peak improved in euglycemic patients (VO2-peak from 19.3 ± 5.3 to 22.5 ± 5.9 mL/min/kg, p = 0.003), while diabetic patients presented only a statistically significant trend (VO2-peak from 16.9 ± 4.4 to 18.0 ± 3.8 mL/min/kg, p < 0.056). Diabetic patients have benefited more in terms of blood glucose control compared to IGT patients (HbA1c from 7.7 ± 1.0 to 7.4 ± 1.1 compared to 5.6 ± 0.4 to 5.9 ± 0.5, p = 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A multidisciplinary CR program improves physical functional capacity in CAD setting, particularly in euglycemic patients. IGT patients as well as diabetic patients may benefit from a CR program, but long-term outcome needs to be clarified in larger studies.

Definitions for Hypertensive Response to Exercise.

Broad evidence indicates that hypertensive response to exercise (HRE) is associated with future hypertension (aHT) at rest and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, a consensus on the definition of HRE is lacking and the comparability of the available data is difficult due to a wide variation of definitions used. This review aims to harmonize currently available definitions of HRE in normotensive and athletic populations and to propose a generally valid cut-off applicable in everyday clinical practice. A literature search on PubMed and Embase was conducted to assemble and analyze the most recent data. Various definitions of HRE were identified and linked with future cardiovascular diseases. Forty-one studies defined HRE at a peak systolic blood pressure (SBP) above or equal to 200 mmHg in men and 25 studies for 190 mmHg in women. Peak diastolic blood pressure (DBP) between 90 and 110 mmHg was reported in 14 studies, relative DBP increase in four. Eight studies defined HRE as SBP between 160 and 200 mmHg at 100 watts. 17 studies performed submaximal exercise testing, while two more looked at BP during recovery. A plethora of other definitions was identified. In athletes, total workload and average blood pressure during exercise were considerably higher. Based on the presented data, the most commonly used definition of HRE at peak exercise is 210/105 mmHg for men, 190/105 mmHg for women, and 220/210 mmHg for athletes. Furthermore, a uniform exercise testing protocol, a position statement by leading experts to unify the definition of HRE, and prospective studies are warranted to confirm these cut-offs and the associated morbidity and mortality.

A Novel Diagnostic Score Integrating Atrial Dimensions to Differentiate between the Athlete's Heart and Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVE: The 2010 Task Force Criteria (TFC) have not been tested to differentiate ARVC from the athlete's heart. Moreover, some criteria are not available (myocardial biopsy, genetic testing, morphology of ventricular tachycardia) or subject to interobserver variability (right ventricular regional wall motion abnormalities) in clinical practice. We hypothesized that atrial dimensions are useful and robust to differentiate between both entities and proposed a new diagnostic score based upon readily available parameters including echocardiographic atrial dimensions. METHODS: In this observational study, 21 patients with definite ARVC were matched for age, gender and body mass index to 42 athletes. Based on ROC analysis, the following parameters were included in the score: indexed right/left atrial volumes ratio (RAVI/LAVI ratio), NT-proBNP, RVOT measurements (PLAX and PSAX BSA-corrected), tricuspid annular motion (TAM), precordial TWI and depolarization abnormalities according to TFC. RESULTS: ARVC patients had a higher RAVI/LAVI ratio (1.76 ± 1.5 vs. 0.87 ± 0.2, p < 0.001), lower right ventricular function (fac: 29 ± 10.1 vs. 42.2 ± 5%, p < 0.001; TAM: 19.8 ± 5.4 vs. 23.8 ± 3.8 mm, p = 0.001) and higher serum NT-proBNP levels (345 ± 612 vs. 48 ± 57 ng/L, p < 0.001). Our score showed a good performance, which is comparable to the 2010 TFC using those parameters, which are available in routine clinical practice (AUC93%, p < 0.001 (95%CI 0.874-0.995) vs. AUC97%, p < 0.001 (95%CI 0.93-1.00). A score of 6/12 points yielded a specificity of 91% and an improved sensitivity of 67% for ARVC diagnosis as compared to a sensitivity of 41% for the abovementioned readily available 2010 TFC. CONCLUSIONS: ARVC patients present with significantly larger RA compared to athletes, resulting in a greater RAVI/LAVI ratio. Our novel diagnostic score includes readily available clinical parameters and has a high diagnostic accuracy to differentiate between ARVC and the athlete's heart.

Prognostic value of inflammatory biomarkers and GRACE score for cardiac death and acute kidney injury after acute coronary syndromes.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to analyse the role of inflammation and established clinical scores in predicting acute kidney injury (AKI) after acute coronary syndromes (ACS). METHODS AND RESULTS: In a prospective multicentre cohort including 2034 patients with ACS undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), neutrophil count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NL-ratio), and creatinine were measured at the index procedure. AKI (n = 39, defined according to RIFLE criteria) and major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events were adjudicated after 1 year. Associations between inflammation, AKI, and cardiac death (CD) were assessed by C-statistics and Cox proportional hazard models with log-rank test to compare survival. Patients with ACS with elevated neutrophil count >7.8 × 109/L, NL-ratio >5, combined neutrophil-count/creatinine, or NL-ratio/creatinine at baseline showed a higher incidence of AKI (all P < 0.05) and CD (all P < 0.001). The risk of AKI, CD, and their combination was increased in patients with higher neutrophil count/creatinine (heart rate (HR) = 3.7, 95% cardiac index (CI) 1.9-7.1; HR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.6-4.6; HR = 3.2, 95% CI 2.1-4.9); NL-ratio/creatinine (HR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.6-4.1; HR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.3-3.8; HR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.5-3.5); and hsCRP (HR = 1.8, 95% CI 0.9-3.5; HR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.3-3.6; HR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.2-2.8) after adjustment for age, diabetes, hypertension, previous heart failure, kidney function, haemodynamic instability at admission, statin, and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone antagonists use. Subjects with higher GRACE score 1.0/NL-ratio had higher rate of AKI, CD, and both (HR = 1.4, 95% CI 0.5-4.2; HR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.3-5.9; HR = 2.1, 95% CI 1-4.3). CONCLUSIONS: Inflammation markers may predict AKI after correction for renal function at the index procedure. hsCRP performed better than the NL-ratio. However, the integration of inflammation markers to traditional risk factors or scores does not add prognostic information. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01000701.

Differentiating hereditary arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy from cardiac sarcoidosis fulfilling 2010 ARVC Task Force Criteria.

BACKGROUND: The clinical presentation of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) may resemble that of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify clinical variables to better discriminate between patients with genetically determined ARVC and those with CS fulfilling definite 2010 ARVC Task Force Criteria (TFC). METHODS: In this multicenter study, 10 patients with CS fulfilling definite 2010 ARVC TFC were age and gender matched with 10 genetically proven ARVC patients. A cardiac 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomographic (18F-FDG PET) scan was required for patients to be included in the study. RESULTS: The 2010 ARVC TFC did not reliably differentiate between the 2 diseases. CS patients presented with longer PR intervals, advanced atrioventricular block (AVB), and longer QRS duration (P <.001 and P = .009, respectively), whereas T-wave inversions (TWIs) in the peripheral leads were more common in ARVC patients (P = .009). CS patients presented with more extensive left ventricular involvement and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), whereas ARVC patients had a larger right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) (P = .044). PET scan positivity was only present in CS patients (90% vs 0%). CONCLUSION: The 2010 ARVC TFC do not reliably differentiate between CS patients fulfilling 2010 ARVC TFC and those with hereditary ARVC. Prolonged PR interval, advanced AVB, longer QRS duration, right ventricular apical involvement, reduced LVEF, and positive 18F-FDG PET scan should raise the suspicion of CS, whereas larger RVOT dimensions, subtricuspid involvement and peripheral TWI favor a diagnosis of hereditary ARVC.