Lipidomic Predictors of Coronary No-Reflow.

The 'no-reflow' phenomenon (NRP) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a serious complication among acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Herein, a comprehensive lipidomics approach was used to quantify over 300 distinct molecular species in circulating plasma from 126 patients with STEMI before and after primary PCI. Our analysis showed that three lipid classes: phosphatidylcholine (PC), alkylphosphatidylcholine (PC(O)), and sphingomyelin (SM), were significantly elevated (p < 0.05) in no-reflow patients before primary PCI. The levels of individual fatty acids and total fatty acid levels were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in no-reflow subjects after PCI. The grouping of patients based on ECG ST-segment resolution (STR) also demonstrated the same trend, confirming the possible role of these differential lipids in the setting of no-reflow. Sphingomyelin species, SM 41:1 and SM 41:2, was invariably positively correlated with corrected TIMI frame count (CTFC) at pre-PCI and post-PCI. The plasma levels of SM 42:1 exhibited an inverse association (p < 0.05) consistently with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) at pre-PCI and post-PCI. In conclusion, we identified plasma lipid profiles that distinguish individuals at risk of no-reflow and provided novel insights into how dyslipidemia may contribute to NRP after primary PCI.

Correlation of Impedance Cardiography-Derived and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance-Derived Stroke Volumes.

Cardiac output (CO) and other hemodynamic parameter measurements play an important role in the management of cardiovascular conditions; however, due to limitations of current day technologies, such measurements are either not routinely performed or incorporated into clinical practice. Moreover, measurement of these hemodynamic parameters in the outpatient setting at different time points to assess interval change is currently not feasible. We attempted to validate total-body impedance cardiography-based Non-Invasive Cardiac System (NICaS) derived stroke volume (SV) with that from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), a current day gold standard method of assessment. We compared SV, as it is the primary unit of measurement utilized by both technologies. Forty-one consecutive patients undergoing CMR were also investigated by NICaS following CMR. The consistency of non-invasive technology-derived SV measurement was validated by NICaS measurement in 10 subjects, both before and after CMR. Of the 41 enrolled patients; data from 38 patients was adequate for comparison (motion artifact prevented CMR measures in 3 patients). Fourteen patients (37%) were female; mean age was 55 ± 15 years (28-87 years) and body-mass index was 28.7 ± 5.5 kg/m2 (20.5-41.9 kg/m2). Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (9/41) was the most common study indication for CMR. NICaS-derived SV strongly correlated with CMR [NICaS 77 ± 20 ml (31-123 ml) and CMR 84 ± 23 ml (47-132 ml); P < 0.001; r = 0.77; ICC = 0.73]. The Bland-Altman limits of agreement between NICaS and CMR were -26.7% and 39.9%. NICaS-derived SV collected before and after MRI did not differ [80 ± 18 ml (51-102 ml) pre and 76 ± 17 ml (50-99 ml) post; P = 0.0007, Kappa = 1]. Agreement between NICaS-derived and CMR-derived SV was within the acceptable range of boundaries set by the US Food and the Drug Administration. Consistency in SV measurement at different time-points may allow use of this technology to identify interval hemodynamic changes noninvasively.

Chest Pain Post-Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Don't Forget the Uncommon Complication.

Transesophageal echocardiography guides a range of structural heart disease interventions, especially in older adult and frail patients who are deemed not suitable to undergo surgical repair. Although rare, transesophageal echocardiography can be associated with esophageal trauma, including perforation. Treating physicians should be cognizant of such a complication. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

Impact of myocardial reperfusion on human plasma lipidome.

The primary aim of the study is to investigate the temporal changes in plasma lipidome before and after reperfusion in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and their association with myocardial injury. We found that 56% of the identified lipid species were significantly altered (corrected p< 0.05) in the first 24 h following reperfusion in patients with STEMI. Three lipid species, namely, acylcarnitine 18:2, TG 51:0, and LPC 17:1 were associated with a change in troponin concentration (delta troponin) and in-hospital cardiovascular events. Of these, acylcarnitine 18:2, and LPC 17:1 and their respective whole class levels, were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the STEMI population than the age/sex-matched control subjects. Overall, our analyses showed a large shift in plasma lipidome in patients that undergo myocardial reperfusion. The differences found for acylcarnitines and LPC species and their association with both cardiac markers and cardiac outcomes need further validation.

Hyperkalaemia in Heart Failure.

Hyperkalaemia has become an increasingly prevalent finding in patients with heart failure (HF), especially with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors and angiotensin-neprilysin inhibitors being the cornerstone of medical therapy. Patients living with HF often have other comorbidities, such as diabetes and chronic kidney disease, which predispose to hyperkalaemia. Until now, we have not had any reliable or tolerable therapies for the treatment of hyperkalaemia to facilitate implementation or achievement of target doses of RAAS inhibition. Patiromer sorbitex calcium and sodium zirconium cyclosilicate are two novel potassium-binding resins that have shown promise in the management of patients predisposed to developing recurrent hyperkalaemia, and their use may allow for further optimisation of guideline directed medical therapy.

The first appearance deceives many: Isolated RV infarct masquerading as an anterior STEMI.

Although ST-segment elevation in the precordial leads on an EKG is highly suggestive of occlusion of the left anterior descending artery, the pattern can also result from isolated right ventricular (RV) infarction.

A cracking complication: Displacement of existing clavicle fracture complicating subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation.

An 18 year old male with an incompletely healed clavicle fracture presented with unexplained syncope. Subsequent investigations were consistent with a diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). A subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) was successfully implanted and defibrillation threshold (DFT) testing performed as per standard protocol. Shortly following the procedure, the patient complained of pain and swelling over the left clavicle. A radiograph revealed aggravation and displacement of the underlying clavicle fracture. Surgical reduction and internal fixation was performed one week later.